Kenneth Dean Craig

Kenneth “Kenny” D. Craig, 89, Marysville, died August 27, 2023, at Cambridge Place in Marysville. 

Visitation was from 2 until 8 p.m., Thursday, August 31, at Ward Funeral Home in Washington and the family greeted friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

A graveside funeral service was at 10 a.m., Friday, September 1, at the Washington City Cemetery, Washington.  Pastor Jill Duis officiated.

Pallbearers were Jason Zabokrtsky, Levi Zabokrtsky, Brett Zabokrtsky, Ethan Craig, Steve Pralle and Josh Burks.

Kenny was born on February 9, 1934, in Greenleaf to Sam and Louella (Waterman) Craig.  In 1953, he graduated from Greenleaf High School and attended Kansas State University until his enlistment into the Navy.

On July 25, 1959, he married Marcella Ann Pralle at the Zion Lutheran Church, Herkimer.  As marcella would say, “Both their wedding day and their marriage was blooming hot.”  They were blessed with a daughter, Cynthia and a son, Reggie.

After the military, he spent many years working for the grain elevators and became a feed salesman for Nixon Feed.  In 1968, Kenny and Marcella moved their family back to Hanover and he was employed by the Pony Express Truck Stop.  Toward the end of his career, he sold for Newton Advertising and ran a motor grader for Little Blue Township. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Washington.

Kenny, as his friends called him, loved to fish and hunt.  He also was a master woodworker; building toys for the grandchildren and wooden brain teaser puzzles.  His children remember him as being family oriented, a hard worker and avid card player.  One of their fondest memories is watching how he loved Marcella, always ensuring that she was close by.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Sam and Louella; father and mother-in-law, Gilbert and Esther Pralle; sister, Jean Craig; son-in-law, Don Zabokrtsky; and brother-in-law, Duane Pralle.

Survivors include his wife, Marcella; children, Cynthia Zabokrtsky and Reggie ( Jennifer) Craig; brother-in-law, Melvin (Lynette) Pralle; grandchildren, Jason (Amy) Zabokrtsky, Brett  Zabokrtsky, Levi Zabokrtsky, Ethan Craig, Makaila Craig; step grandchildren, Kennedy Ruzicka, Deacon Ruzicka, Bella Ruzicka; and great grandchildren, Joey Zabokrtsky and Kinsley Cruz; and nieces, Erin (Josh) Burks and Lori (Mike) Gabelhouse.

The family asks that donations be made to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in his name, in lieu of flowers or gifts.  Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, Washington.