Craig H. Thaemert

Age 80 of Hugo. Loving Husband, Devoted Father, Grandfather & Brother, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 11, 2022. He was predeceased by his parents, Alice and Harvey Thaemert. Survived by loving wife of 59 years, Elaine; children, Dawn (Siegfried) Burns, Christopher (Tee), Bradley (Jana), Traci (Mark) Gujer, Kelly (Matthew) Nelson; grandchildren, Aurora, Devon, Ashley, Logan, Skyler, Carissa, Ceirrah, Jadah, Nyah, Abbigale, Benjamin, Emerson; sisters, Lona Rauma, Karen Armstrong; nieces, nephews, relatives & many friends. A celebration of Craig’s life will be held on Saturday August 27. Visitation begins at 10am with an 11:30 service at Roberts Family Funeral Home, Forest Lake. Refreshments provided. Private family interment at Union Cemetery, Maplewood. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Craig’s name to the American Cancer Society. Craig will be fondly remembered by his sparkling blue eyes, quick wit, and absolute devotion to his family. Born 1941 in St Paul, Craig graduated from Johnson High School in 1959. Out of high school, he started working at EcoLab. He met the love of his life at Guertin’s Drug Store on White Bear Ave in St Paul. Elaine ( nee Blossom ) worked as a soda jerk and Craig would order ice cream to take home to his mother, Alice. ( Chocolate malts and butter pecan were notable favorites. ) One day he worked up the courage to ask if he could give Elaine a ride home after her shift. She said yes. Craig proposed during Elaine’s senior year of high school ( 1962 ) at North St Paul High. They were married June 08, 1963. Craig discovered working a desk job was not for him. An uncle introduced him to the trades - after vocational school, he worked as a journeyman electrician and then completed classes to become a Master Electrician. In 1973, Craig started his own business, Countryside Electric, which remained successful until his retirement in 2007. In between running a small business, Craig and Elaine had 5 children….and a hobby farm. The farm was his solace. A gentleman farmer, Craig and family raised cows, chickens and pigs. Enjoyed riding horses, and tending to a large organic garden and fruit orchard before it was trendy. His children revolted against the amount of chores one summer and ran away, making it all the way to Kuno’s General Store on Manning Avenue about a mile away. Successful negotiations followed and life happily marched on. Craig will be remembered as a crooner (Del Shannon’s Runaway was a favorite. ) There were innumerable games of cribbage around the kitchen table, along with whistling contests. Special memories include cherished times fishing and hunting with his sons, camping and road trips of which there were many. One notable and highly memorable was a 7,000+ mile road trip to Alaska over 4 weeks in a motorhome. His lust for adventure included riding motorcycles. In 1988 Craig got his first ‘big’ motorcycle, a Honda Gold Wing. He then discovered Harley Davidson motorcycles and a true love affair started. Many joyful journeys followed on his Harley, including NY, Canada, and a few eye opening trips to Sturgis. The open road, wind and freedom were highlights. Craig loved history, news, debate and learning. He was a prodigious reader. He also leaves behind a portfolio of inventions that we are sure would be million dollar successes if developed. : ) An avid problem solver - he did not shrink away from challenges. Retirement found him embracing wood working, making many heirloom pieces for his children and grandchildren, including cedar lined steamer trunks and a prototype dog sled for his granddaughter. Many cherished stories and jokes between family and dear friends will fill our hearts as we celebrate Craig.