Craig Larson Obituary

Funeral services for Craig Larson will be held on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Wesley Community Church in Wesley. The funeral will be streamed on the Oakcrest Funeral Services Facebook page. Burial will be held at Evergreen Cemetery following the funeral service. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at the Wesley Community Church.
Craig Alan Larson was born February 10, 1961, at the Hancock County Hospital in Britt, Iowa to Arvin and LaVon (Higdon) Larson. Craig grew up in Wesley and graduated from Corwith-Wesley Schools. Following high school he joined the workforce, working for the city of Wesley for 36 years, driving truck for Reding Gravel and Excavating and most currently driving school bus for Algona Community Schools. Craig often commented on how he enjoyed driving the bus and seeing all the kids. It really brightened his day.
On January 14, 1980, Craig was united in marriage to Shelly Walk. To this union Shannon was born. The couple later divorced. On July 28, 1988, Craig was united in marriage to Deb Lichman, and he welcomed two daughters to his family, Tracy and Stacy. Craig was very involved with his daughters' activities and embraced and loved Tracy and Stacy as his own.
Craig (aka Cracker) enjoyed farming, tractor rides and gardening. As his children grew up, they enjoyed weekends at the lake. He was always up for a pontoon ride with friends and family. In the winter months Craig enjoyed snowmobiling and he always had extra snowmobiles for his friends and family to ride.
Craig looked forward to hosting parties and cooking. He was known for his delicious pork loin. He would also make desserts for anyone who had a sweet tooth like him, most recently bringing five homemade pies to Easter. He loved trying out new recipes. He loved to spend time with his daughters and grandchildren and the joy they brought to his life was immeasurable. He may or may not have told them how much he loved them, but you could see it in the twinkle in his eyes.
Craig played an active role in the Wesley community, serving on the city council, volunteering for 38 years on the Wesley Fire Department, the West Hancock Ambulance Service for 10 years and served as the Mayor of Wesley for two terms. Craig was also a member of the Methodist Church and Corwith Wesley School Board. Craig was very devoted to the town of Wesley, and it was hard for him to leave. Craig's quirky personality and his constant joking around will always be remembered. He loved getting a rise out of his friends and family whenever he could. Even though Craig joked around constantly, he was always there for anyone in need of help and didn't expect anything in return.
Craig died after a tough fought battle on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Kossuth Regional Health Center surrounded by his family. He was 64.
He is survived by his three daughters, Shannon (Mark Theesfeld) Wadsley of Belmond and her daughter Harper; Stacy (Aksel) Nielson of Algona and their children Cody, Carley, Rikiya and Kirk; Tracy (Lance) Ludwig of Wesley and their children Brody, Bree, Briggs, and Brynlee; siblings Barb Larson, Diane (Larry) Potter, both of Cedar Rapids; Danna Larson of Anchorage, Alaska, and Jane (Eep) Peuchan of Assaria, Kansas. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and oh so many friends.
Craig is preceded in death by his parents Arvin and Lavon Larson, son-in-law Nathan Wadsley, sister, Mary Lou Larson and nephew, Benjamin David Peuchen.