Craig Steven Collins passed away at Aurora Medical Center in Summit on Saturday, October 7, 2017, at the age of 58 years. Craig suffered a stroke on January 31 and fought very hard to recover, but the Good Lord decided he had fought long and hard enough and, surrounded by his wife and children, called him home. Craig was born April 14, 1959. Craig was a 1977 graduate of Badger High School. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from UW Whitewater and worked in retail before going back to UW Whitewater to obtain his Bachelors of Science in Education. Upon graduation, he worked as a teacher at St. Francis de Sales School in Lake Geneva, WI. Marquette University granted him a Masters in Educational Administration and he became principal at St. Francis where he stayed for 17 years. In 2005 he was hired as principal at Traver School, Lake Geneva, and after earning his superintendent’s license from Cardinal Stritch University, he became superintendent, as well.
Craig married his college sweetheart Marie Berger on January 2, 1982. They celebrated their 35th anniversary last January with family members, and had looked forward too many more years together. Craig loved being a father and raised three children Andrew (Marta), Betsy (Andy Werdin) and Alex (Lindsey Miller) who are the pride of his life and his greatest loves. He was proud of each of them for their unique talents and their collective love of life. His grandchildren, Hayden, Declan, and Asher stole his heart and gave his life deeper meaning as he became Grampy.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, ice fishing, gardening and yardwork. He loved to spend Sunday afternoons putzing in the garage with his family nearby. Craig enjoyed spending time with family and friends at home and up north. His contagious and genuine laughter and sense of humor made him beloved to all who knew him. He cherished every student he ever worked with and tried to instill in them his love of learning. He also enjoyed family vacations at the Outer Banks, NC, and Gulf Shores, AL. He loved the Minnesota Vikings, Milwaukee Brewers, Marquette Basketball, and UW football, hockey and basketball. Sunday family Viking games were sacred to him.
Craig was chapter president of Walworth County Pheasants Forever, and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and found great spiritual and community support through his church and church family.
In addition to his immediate family, Craig is survived by his parents, Ken and Sharon Jiardini, Burlington; two brothers Tim, Greenbush, NY, and Tom (Sue), Milwaukee, WI, a step-sister Angie Beaudoin (Ron) Muskego, WI; in-laws Jerome and Irene Berger, Genoa City; sisters-in law Teresa (Dwight) Percy, Birmingham, AL; Jennifer Berger, Manitowoc, WI; Elisa (Brian) Shoemaker, Clinton, WI; nephews Steven Tucker, Lucas Shoemaker, Tyler Shoemaker, Oscar Jiardini, Isaac Jiardini, Gus Jiardini, Matthias Shoemaker; and nieces Amanda Tucker, Rebecca Percy, Kyla Hanstedt, Lauren Jiardini, Emma Percy, Zena Jiardini and Indie Jiardini, and great nieces Kylie, Scarlett and Sadie Shoemaker, BB Tucker; and great nephew Kenny Tucker as well as aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be held at the Steinke-Lazarczyk Funeral Home, Lake Geneva, WI on Wednesday October 11th, 2017 from 3:30-8:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday October 12, 2017 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church at 11:00 AM with Fr. Mark Danczyk officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following: Lake Geneva Rescue Squad, Traver Community Club or St. Francis de Sales Angel Fund. Steinke-Lazarczyk Funeral Home and Cremation Services is proudly serving the Collins family.
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