Craft, Roger Eugene 1947 - 2024
CRAFT, RANDAK, KOVARIK, SHIMEK, GRADHANDT, KRAMER, BURKE, KELLY
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/20/2024 at 12:01:10
Roger E. Craft, 77, of Cresco, IA, died peacefully on Friday, December 13, 2024 at his home.
Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 20, 2024 at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Cresco with Father Jacob Rouse officiating. Inurnment will take place in Calvary Cemetery Spring 2025. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, followed by a visitation from 4-7 p.m. at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Cresco. Visitation will continue from 10-11 a.m. Friday morning at the church.
Roger Eugene Craft was born on February 6, 1947, son of Harold and Helen (Randak) Craft in Cresco, Iowa. He attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School graduating from the 9th grade. Roger continued his education by attending a Vocation Technical School to learn special skills. When he was a young adult, Roger, worked for several area farmers. He began a 35-year career working for Hawkeye Sanitation. Upon his retirement Roger enjoyed a cruise with his family.
Roger had a strong faith in the Lord. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph/Notre Dame Catholic Church. Roger helped out at many church functions over the years and faithfully attended 4:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday. Once Roger began dating Di Kovarik, he became a “roaming Catholic” attending mass all over the state of Iowa with her.
Roger was an avid bowler. On April 23, 1981, he bowled a 298 and received a ring that he wore to commemorate that nearly perfect score. Roger was an active member of the Cresco Wildlife Club, a huge supporter of the Crestwood Cadets Athletics, and enjoyed trips to the casino with his mom. As a kid, Roger played a lot of softball with his friends. His favorite hobby was attending area stock car races.
On September 18, 2015, while volunteering at Cresco Care Center, Roger’s love story with Di Kovarik began. God knew the two of them needed each other in their lives. He began “picking on” Di and their relationship grew. The couple exchanged promise rings on December 25, 2017, and they were blessed by Fr. Kyle Digman on July 1, 2018. On December 22, 2021, Roger upgraded Di’s ring to a diamond and had it blessed by Fr. Jacob Rouse on Christmas Eve. Then on February 20, 2022, Di’s diamond was blessed again by The Most Reverend Fr. Beckman.
Everyone in Cresco knew Roger. He had a heart of gold and a great sense of humor. Roger had a mischievous smirk, twinkle in his eye, and a quick comeback to any comment. He liked going to “the office” which was drinking coffee in the morning at Sue-Z-Q’s or a soda at Sweeney’s at 9:30 a.m.
Roger is survived by his fiancé Di Kovarik of Cresco, IA; sisters Ruth (David) Shimek of Clear Water, FL, and Diane (Stephen) Gradhandt of Boise, ID; brother Harold Jr. Craft of Rochester, MN; several nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and great great nieces and nephews; aunt Irene Kramer of San Marcos, CA; and many cousins throughout the country.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters Connie Craft, Carol (William) Burke, and Donna (Frank) Kelly, and nephew D.J. Shimek.
Source: Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home database
Calvary Cresco Cemetery
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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