Obituary of Craig Grunert

A memorial folder from the funeral service can be printed under the "Memories" tab, click "Memorial Program". GRUNERT - Mr. Craig Grunert of Yorkton, beloved husband of Sherry passed away suddenly as the result of a farm accident on Thursday, April 18, 2013. he was 57 years of age. Craig Douglas Grunert was born August 11, 1955 in Regina along with his twin brother Curtis Darryl Grunert. Parents Gerald and Ella Grunert resided in Yorkton until the family moved to the farm in Orcadia in 1957. Schooling began at the Grunert School which he only attended for one day! The rest of his schooling was at the Orkney School until Grade 7 after which he was bussed to the Yorkton Composite Jr. High and then the Yorkton Regional High School through graduation in June 1973. During his school years, Craig worked on the family farm and was an active member of the Yorkton 4-H Beef Club. Sports became a life-long passion for Craig. He enjoyed playing football for the Yorkton Regional High School Gridder's and excelled in curling, winning numerous awards. He also played trumpet in the Yorkton Rural School Band. Following High School graduation, Craig worked on the family farm and then attended SIAST in Moose Jaw for two years where he graduated from the Accounting Program. He began employment with Peet, Marwick & Mitchell Accounting Firm in Saskatoon. He worked there for a short time due to the sudden death of his mother on August 16, 1975. Shortly afterwards, Craig returned home to the family farm and in the winter of 1976 he began working at Parker & Quine in Yorkton until spring when he told his father he didn't want to wear a neck tie any more. He returned to farming full-time. In 1976, he purchased a half section of land and hog barn where he raised feeder hogs and beef cattle with help from his father and brother. In 1977, he purchased a quarter of land from the Molly Norman family which was aptly called the "Rock Quarter". Craig ran the hog and cattle operation for eight years after which he sold the pasture land, beef cattle and hog barn, turning his focus to grain farming and getting away in the winter months to warmer climates. He started both renting farm lands from neighboring farmers and purchasing several quarters of land in the Yorkton area, thus building his operation to what it is today. When Craig returned home from Saskatoon, he became very involved in the Sask. Broomball Association and was an active member and player on the Yorkton Cycle Team sponsored by D.C. Harris. When he wasn't playing broomball with the guys, he played flag football and fastball. He kept active playing broomball until a few years ago. Recent years were spent running, lifting weights and playing some golf. In 1994, Craig met his wife, Sherry Nuyens in Kamloops, B.C. while inquiring about booking a trip to Mexico or Australia at her travel agency. He ended up going to Mexico and came back to see if he could take her out for coffee. They dated for two years and were married in Vernon, B.C. on Feb. 17, 1996. They have two children - son, Justin (22) and daughter Caleigh (16). They had 17 short years of marriage, where they worked hard and loved their family. Holidays were a priority and they enjoyed many family adventures in distant places. In the last year, Craig enjoyed spending time in Florida and was looking forward to becoming a snowbird in his retirement. Craig was predeceased by his mother and father, Ella and Gerald; grandparents: John and Rita Grunert; George and Eva/Katie Peppler; mother-in-law Dianne Nuyens, as well as many other aunts, uncles and cousins. Craig leaves to mourn his passing, wife Sherry; son Justin (Morgan) and daughter Caleigh; twin brother Curtis (Sharon) Grunert; brothers-in-law: Trevor (Carla) Nuyens and Kelly (Margaret) Nuyens; sister-in-law Robin (Ken) Trottier; step-mother Myrna Grunert and father-in-law Ray (Mary) Nuyens; nieces: Jennifer (Josh) Grunert, Amanda (Mitch) Bison, Melissa Trottier, Alexandra, Elena and Heidi Nuyens and Danielle Lavallee-Gould; nephews: Dennyn Grunert and Wesley Trottier; aunts: Beverly Keith, Marilyn (Craig) Burkell, Angie Grunert, Geraldine Peppler; uncles: Gerry (Beverley) Peppler, Ken McLeod, and many more family and friends. Craig touched and affected the lives of a vast number of people. Through his boundless optimism, he sought the good in all things. He always wanted to understand everything and was respected for his honesty, strong work ethic, intelligence and friendship. He was a man of noble heart. He will certainly be missed by his family and all he touched, leaving a large void in each and every heart and soul. The funeral service was held on Friday, April 26, 2013 from the Prairie Harvest Christian Life Centre in Yorkton with Pastor Des Klingspon officiating. The eulogists were Doug & Grant Wood, and tributes were given by Rick Bilous, Dave Rennie, Mario Pelchat, Dave Weinmaster & Richard Miller. Music selections were 'Christ the Solid Rock', and 'I Can Only Imagine', sung by Cheryl Klingspon & Lori Trost. Following a reception at St. Mary's Cultural Centre, the committal service took place in the Garden of St. Matthew at the Yorkton Memorial Gardens. Son and daughter Justin & Caleigh were the urnbearers. Condolences may be left at baileysfuneralhome.com. Memorials were to the Craig Grunert Memorial Fund, to go towards a rice crop project in Cambodia. Arrangements were entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home. Service Information Thursday, April 25th, 2013 7:00pm, Prairie Harvest Christain Life Centre Details: Service Extra Info Visitation 7:00p.m - 9:00p.m. Friday, April 26th, 2013 11:00am Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens