The last page in the book of Craig has been written. As the sun rose on the morning of April 24, 2023, Craig said goodbye to his earthly life and found peace. The daily struggles with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis are gone and now he can breathe. He said it was inevitable and was ready to go, but was sad to think of what he will be missing.
Craig Alan Benware was born on Nov. 12, 1947, in Newport, Vermont, the son of Janet A. (Smith) and George J. Benware Jr. He was the eldest of three, along with his sister, Gail and brother, Scott. Craig attended Eastside Elementary School and graduated from Kimball Union Academy. He attended Purdue University and graduated from Colorado State with a degree in dairy science. Craig had many occupations, including herdsman in Greeley, Colorado, a Vermont State Trooper, a plant manager at Golden Valley Foods and AFP (formerly Land O’Lakes). He was a dairy farmer in Augusta, Wisconsin and a sheep farmer in Clear Lake, Wisconsin. Craig worked at Monarch Paving, Madeline Island State Park, Madeline Island Golf Course and as a door greeter and slave laborer at Bergmann’s Greenhouses in Clayton, Wisconsin. “I work for food.” The job he was most proud of was serving as Polk County Sheriff from 1988-1996 where he served his people well.
In addition to his many jobs, Craig served on the Augusta School Board, the Health Fair 11 Board of Directors for 20 years, many years as the President. Craig Hotvedt said “Craig will be remembered as an advocate for rural health and a man that challenged you to think.” He also served on the Polk County Board of Supervisors and had active roles in area hockey as a player, fan and referee. Craig was instrumental in creating the Polk County 911 Emergency Response System, initiated the DARE program in Polk County and actively worked with the Clear Lake Area EMTs. He was also a member of the Clear Lake Lions Club and the Clear Lake Masonic Lodge, attaining the level of 32nd Degree Mason.
Craig married Mary Ekstrom and together made their home in Clear Lake and raised three children, Kristen, Andrew and Gunnar. As the chapters of his book continued, Craig made a life with Ivanna Bergmann and did things he never thought he would. He spent many hours in his shop creating things for family and friends, turning wood into something, no matter how crude it became or appeared. Together, Craig and Ivanna cleared the land for their new home and all the outbuildings in their village and created Crosses in the Woods Chapel and Barn Again Event Center. “Life should be fun!!” In 2014, the cabin on Madeline Island became his dream come true - it was a very special place.
Craig was preceded in death by his parents, George and Janet Benware; and brother, Scott Benware.
He is survived by Ivanna Bergmann; daughter and sons, Kristi (Bill) Niles, Andy (Julie) Benware, and Gunnar Benware; grandchildren, Montana, Drew, Kelli and Taryn Niles, Madeline and Grant Benware, and Reese, Charli and Marty Benware; mother of his children, Mary Benware; sister, Gail (Robert) Proctor; sister-in-law, Diane Benware; Ivanna’s children and grandchildren; and don’t forget Maddie, his fat, furry, four-legged friend. “Keep her fat so she doesn’t run away.”
Many relatives, friends and colleagues have cherished memories of Craig that will live on. The family thanks Dr. Fadi Sabbagh, Dr. Jennifer Radar and St. Croix Hospice for their care and compassion shown to Craig.
Craig’s cremains will be spread over Madeline Island and at his home in Clayton.
Honorary pallbearers are Andy Benware, Gunnar Benware, Bill Niles, Drew Niles, Grant Benware, Robert Rasmussen, Steve Moe and Terry Nesvold.
Arrangements are with Scheuermann-Hammer Funeral Home, Clear Lake, clearlakefuneralhome.com.
