Craig Straabe, 65, Cando, ND passed away on Friday, August 24, 2012 at his home.  Memorial services will be held on Sunday, September 2, 2012 at 3:00 PM at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home in Cando, ND with Rev. Rick Craig officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.  A gathering for family and friends will be held after the service at the United Methodist Church in Cando.

Craig Alan Lee Straabe was born April 19, 1947, in Rugby, N.D., to Thorvald and Maxine Straabe. He was raised on a farm near Churchs Ferry and graduated from Leeds High School in 1965. He attended Lake Region Junior College in Devils Lake before moving to Wisconsin to work for Platteville Telephone Co. and later CenturyTel. In 1974, he married Suzie Brown in Grant County, WI. Three years later, their daughter Ashlee Alana was born. In 1994, he married Sandra Fisher in Jefferson County, WI. After he retired from the phone company, he spent winters in Arizona and Texas and summers in Cando. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, spending time with his daughter, his grandson Kai and visiting family around the country.


Craig was a lover of animals, often referred to as a "dog whisperer", and the natural order. He enjoyed the outdoors, particularly water sports and was an avid canoe handler. He was a talented wood crafter, patient and mechanically inclined. He was an accomplished skydiver, motorcycle rider and loved fast cars, having owned Corvettes and a Chevy SS in his younger years. Craig loved to laugh and was a sociable person. He enjoyed debates and engaging in discussions.

Craig was preceded in his death by his mother, Maxine, who died Aug. 19, 2012, his father, Thorvald, who died Jan. 4, 1993 and his brother, David, who died in October 1977.

Craig is survived by his daughter Ashlee (Mark) Dupray of Anthem, AZ; his grandson Kai Dupray of Anthem, AZ; 14 brothers and sisters: Judy (Robert) Tompkins of Brea, CA, JoAnn (Roger) Copeland of Starkweather, Tyrone Straabe of Kalispell, MT, Diane Straabe of Leeds, Reid (Millie) Straabe of Raton, NM, Hal (Elena) Straabe of Yorba Linda, CA, Vicki (Wayne) Lingen of Cando, Barry (Debbie) Straabe of Broken Arrow, OK, Miles Straabe of Mandan, Candace (Dan) Stave of Leeds, Kyle Straabe of New Rockford, Dawn Christenson of Devils Lake, Ryan Straabe and Jodi Straabe, both of Fargo; 21 nieces and nephews: Joseph and Derek Bettencourt, Julie and Corey Copeland, Nolan Straabe, Marissa Bellanti, Nickolas Straabe, Chris Lingen, O. Kaiden Straabe, Traci Ripplinger, Kayla and Lance Straabe and Tawny Christenson, Jack Bettencourt, Samuel, Drew and Elizabeth Lingen, Nolan Straabe Jr., and Katie, Tommy and Michael Ripplinger; and former wives: Suzie of Phoenix, AZ, and Sandra of Whitewater, WI .


Condolences:

TO THE STRAABE FAMILY:

I met Craig 10 years ago and had a friendship I'll never forget.  We had a great time in Arizona for 3 months and many dinners together.  Craig was one of my very close friends.  I'm going to miss his humor and all the times he helped me at my condo.  My condolences to the whole Straabe family.

Bob Korum



Craig was a pistol! He had a wicked sense of humor & was a joy to know. We will miss him & send our deepest sympathies & prayers to all the Strabbe family.

Mark & Chris Storbakken

Apache Junction, Arizona



My condolences to Ashley and family

I feel sad to have lost a friend in Craig, i loved that man a lot, why i don't know i just had respect for him. I will have many found memories of your father Ashley, and all very good memories.

Paul Schumacher

Scottsdale, AZ



Well, Craig, my talent for procrastination has tripped me up once again - I had spent several days trying to collect my thoughts and memories to post for you and all Straabe family on the web page for your mom in Leeds and then I got the news about you departing. I have so many fond memories of you and your family and my husband and I enjoyed the times we visited and spent time with your mom when we were living in Leeds (of course I remembered you so well from the 1st day of school in first grade there). I didn't get to tell you how much we thought of your mom but I know that you knew that. It is sad that I won't get to see and talk you you again but hope you are forever blessed and happy in your new life.

To Craig's daughter and all of the Straabe Family, we are happy to have known Craig and heart goes out to all of you during this time and God Bless!

Jan (Anderson) and Dexter Lee

Alford, FL



Our thoughts and prayers are with you Ashley and the entire family.  We really got to know your Dad last year and spent many of evening together.  My husband and your Dad became swell golfing buddies and was going to be a contest to see who got to Texas first this year! Your Dad talked of you so often and fondly.  You were always the go to girl when he had questions. We are sure going to miss him.

Ronnie & Sandi  Mission,Tx



The thing I remember most about Thorvald, Maxine and Family is that I would bale hay for them in the early 1960's.  When I was baling, Craig and his brothers and sisters would walk out to the hay meadow where I was working with forenoon lunch.  Then I was always invited in for a delicious noon meal.  Come afternoon lunch time the kids would once again walk out to the field with my lunch.  I couldn't have worked at a nicer place.

I lost track of some of the kids after high school.  So many kids move on after high school and one doesn't see them again.  I have a great deal of respect for Craig as well as the rest of the family.

I might add with my custom bale business that working at the Straabe's was one of my favorite places to bale hay as the family always made me feel at home and  I experienced the best treatment one could expect.

Sincere sympathy to all the family.

Glen Tofsrud



So sorry for your loss.  Loosing two loved ones in such a short time is hard to take.  Now he is a peace in a better place.

Carol & Ron

Glyndon MN