Vera B. Craig took hold of God's outstretched hand and joined Him in eternal life in heaven on March 30, 2005. Vera was born on Oct. 26, 1907 in Bovey to Gustave K. and Sarah F. (White) Baum. After graduating from Coleraine Greenway High School in 1925, she began her adult life in Minneapolis, attending McPhail School of Music, graduating in 1927 with a degree in Public School Music Vocal. Her love of music and young people enhanced the lives of many as she began her teaching career at Spring Valley Grade and High School. Over the years, she continued sharing that love teaching at Sauk Center (MN) Home for Girls, Claremont Grade and High School and then at Newfolden Grade and High ;School from 1959 until her retirement in 1973. Vera met a pastor's son, Leslie C. Craig, and they began a courtship that led to marriage on Dec. 27, 1932 in Ely. Together they owned and operated Craig's Filling Station, Fairway Grocery Store, and Craig's Variety Store, all in various Minnesota cities. She always kept her hand in music, teaching piano lessons in their home, directing church choirs, and working many summers at Reed Drug Store in Coleraine.

Two special joys in her life were Cynthia Lynne, born in 1941, and Nadine Susan, born in 1946. Throughout their years at home and into their adult lives, she was always a solid support, instilling her strong faith in God and her values of dignity, kindness and perseverance. Vera was always ready for new experiences and loved to travel, whether it was to Hawaii or a car ride after church. Gardening, bird watching, and being outdoor gave her so much pleasure, and golfing and watching sports were favorite pastimes. In addition to her parents and stepmother, Harriette Hosking and a sister, Ruth Brown, Vera was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie C. Craig, brother, Merton K. Baum, infant brothers, Douglas S. Baum and Harold A. Baum. Survivors are daughters Cynthia (Weldon) Carpenter, Nadine (Frank) Burns; granddaughters, Lynney (Timothy) Graves, Janet (Kenneth) Bronsert, honorary granddaughter, Kimberly Carlson; great-granddaughters, BriAnna Graves, Corinne Graves, Alycia Bronsert, and Kathryn Bronsert, and honorary great-grandson, Hunter Carlson; along with cousins, nieces and nephews. Also surviving are wonderful friend and caregiver of many years, Sharon Vannet, her husband Ray, Delores Anderson, husband, Curtis, Ed Nyman, and all who knew and loved her.

Services: A memorial service will be Sunday, April 2 at 2 p.m. at First United Church of Coleraine and Bovey, 207 Kerr ave., Coleraine. Memorial donations may be sent to First United Church of Coleraine and Bovey, and American Diabetes Association. The family is deeply grateful to Itasca office, St. Mary's Hospice and Palliative Care for their guidance and compassion. Arrangements by Peterson Funeral Chapel, Coleraine.

(obituary from the Grand Rapids Herald-Review, Grand Rapids, MN dated 2 April 2006)