Melvin Vernon Craig

Melvin Vernon Craig age 92, passed away in his family's care at his home on the Judson Bottom Road outside of North Mankato on Jan. 7, 2026.

Visitation will be held from 2-5pm, Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary and also one hour prior to the service. Funeral will be 12pm, Sunday, January 18, 2026 at Northview with a luncheon to follow. Guests are encouraged to share memories of Mel at lunch.

Melvin was born Aug. 30,1933, in Fairmont MN to Vernon and Ruth (Striemer) Craig. His early years were spent in and around Fairmont. His mother Ruth passed away suddenly from an aneurysm when he was nine years old. His father later remarried. When Melvin was twelve, he helped his father build the house in Fairmont that we all refer to as Grandpa's house, where he lived until graduating from Fairmont High School in 1951. After high school, Melvin attended the Pharmacy program at the U of M, passing his Pharmacy Boards in 1956. While working at a pharmacy in Fairmont, Melvin met LaVonne Schmit who was waitressing at a cafe next door. Melvin and LaVonne married on May 1, 1956 and raised eight children together. They were married for 57 years when LaVonne passed away Aug 18, 2014.

Melvin and LaVonne spent their early years together in Fairmont before moving to Vernon Center and later Mankato. In 1969, they purchased an acreage on the Judson Bottom Road, which they named Meadow View Farm. Melvin and LaVonne spent many busy years on the farm raising eight children and a lot of animals. Melvin and LaVonne encouraged and supported their children's participation in a wide variety of activities, including 4-H, horse shows, sports, music, and jobs.

After his 1998 retirement as head of the St. Peter State Hospital Pharmacy, Mel had time for a second career of building things large and small. Working on the Senior Crew he helped build 19 houses for Habitat for Humanity. Working with his family, he built Craig Crafthall, a beautiful building at the MN Renaissance Festival, where he spent 20 years as a craftsperson selling his lathe-turned wood bowls, goblets, and wands. Mel spent his last few years quietly at home doing Sudoku puzzles, reading large-print books, and feeding biscuits to his dog Charlie. Throughout his life, Mel's focus was always on his family. He will be missed.

Melvin is survived by his children, Julie (Larry Nicol), Ruth, Kathy (Terry Rhodes), Dave (Kindle), Paul (Tracy), Jane (Becki True), and Mike (Kim); grandchildren, Cady Nicol (Simon Wechler), Ian, Emily, Brantly, Ryne/Zoey, Dana, Winter, Sylvie, Matt, Olivia, Henry, and Andrew. Mel delighted in knowing his great-grandchild, Oren Wechler. Mel is also survived by a brother, Don (Sue); sister-in-law, Shirley; and faithful companion, Charlie.

Mel was preceded in death by his wife, LaVonne; son, Richard; and granddaughter, Chloe Nicol. Also preceding Melvin were siblings, Glen, Richard, Verna, Bill, and Barbara.