Craig A. Lane's Obituary
Craig Arthur Lane was a loyal friend and loving family man. In the wake of his passing, he is being celebrated a fundamentally decent and kind man not only by his wide and far-flung network of family and friends, but those who knew him less well, from neighbors to his children’s friends. Like Craig, those words are not showy, but speak to the fundamental and quiet goodness that touched so many around him.
Craig’s incredible work ethic meant he always strived for excellence at whatever he took on, whether at work at Waupaca Foundry, rounding out a foursome in golf outings (where he was always first pick), or having the best holiday light display in the neighborhood—at least until that incident with a ladder and giant spruce tree.
That incredible work ethic and deep streak of Iowan practicality was paired with a softer side that might come as a surprise to those who did not know him well.
When snow came, he was out before dawn with his snowblower. This was both to make sure that there were no rogue tire tracks in the driveway, but also to create a complex maze of paths so the small family dog could still explore the yard.
He spent each spring seeding the lawn and prepping the garden, while also setting up feeders and fountains while eagerly awaiting the first appearance of his favorite songbirds, especially the indigo bunting and scarlet tanager. He made doubly sure those feeders and fountains were filled ahead of inclement weather.
He loved watching old Westerns, cheering on (and sometimes yelling at) the Green Bay Packers, and though he was a loyal fan of both the Badgers and the Hawkeyes, when they played each other, it was the Hawkeyes all the way. He was also the biggest supporter and cheerleader of his family, clocking thousands of miles driving to his son’s swim meets, spending hours weeding his wife’s garden, and many acts of love and support too numerous to count.
Craig Arthur Lane was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on January 30, 1961. He grew up in Livermore, Iowa, where he learned about the value of hard work helping out on his relatives’ farm. He was a varsity athlete in track and basketball, before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Buena Vista University in Iowa. Work eventually brought him to Waupaca, where he met his wife, Barbara, and they built a life together.
Craig will be missed and mourned by a widespread network of friends and family, people he quietly and effectively loved and supported with acts of kindness and service large and small.
Craig fought a hard and long battle before succumbing to liver failure on November 14, 2022. His family was there to say good-bye. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, children Kelly (Landis) and Seth, brother Jeff, mother-in-law, Jane, as well as cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Marilyn, father, Sonny (Harold), and brother, Jerry.
A.J. Holly & Sons is assisting the family with arrangements. The family also wishes to thank his caregivers at Bethany Home of Waupaca. A memorial and celebration of life is planned for a future date.
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