Nancy Lee Craig

Nancy Lee (nee Hunter) Craig passed away peacefully at the age of 87 in Moorhead, MN, on June 28, 2024. Nancy was born in Sioux Falls, SD, on November 6, 1936, to Herman and Katherine (Graber) Hunter.

The family lived for a time in Humbolt, SD where her father was a teacher and basketball coach. The family was complete with the arrival of her brother, William (Bill). Nancy loved to tell the story of she and Bill riding the train from Humbolt to Sioux Falls to go to the swimming pool. The round-trip ticket was a nickel! The family eventually moved to Chamberlain, SD, after her father took a position with the General Adjustment Bureau. Nancy was very active in school; she was a Cheerleader and Homecoming Queen. Nancy graduated with Honors from Chamberlain High School in 1954.

Nancy continued her education at South Dakota State University (SDSU). While attending SDSU, Nancy remained active in Cheerleading and earned her BS in Nursing. In the summer between her Junior and Senior year of college, Nancy married Loren Paulson of Rapid City, SD, on June 6, 1957.

Nancy graduated from SDSU in the Spring of 1958 and returned to Rapid City to be with Loren and start her Nursing Career. From this marriage, three children were born: Tom, Julie and Cathy. In the early years, the family lived in several communities in South Dakota while her husband pursued his law enforcement career. Nancy always found a nursing position along the way, serving at area hospitals.

In December of 1968, the family followed Loren through a raging blizzard to Fargo, ND, where they stayed until 1980. Nancy continued her pursuit of serving others by utilizing her nursing skills as an instructor in the Nursing Program at NDSU and later as a case manager for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of ND. Nancy enjoyed this time watching her children grow into adulthood, but not without nail biting and some sleepless nights! But she raised us well and we all made it!

In 1980, Nancy and Loren returned to Rapid City. Nancy went back to her love of teaching, by taking a nursing instructor position at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Nancy excelled in teaching student nurses in the areas of OB and Pediatrics. Nancy later served as the Head Nurse for the Pediatric Department.

In 1988, Nancy married Henry (Hank) Craig of Rapid City, SD. Following her marriage to Hank, the couple made their home on an acreage on the edge of the City. At this time Nancy altered her career direction and accepted a position as the nurse manager for the Long Term Care Unit of the Ft. Meade Veterans Hospital in Sturgis, SD. Nancy remained active in nursing well into her 70's. A career of more than 50 years!

After Hank passed away in 2010, Nancy continued on in Rapid City. Nancy stayed busy mowing and manicuring her three acres, baking, sewing, quilting, crocheting and visiting her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nancy loved her family and made sure to include them in her adventures, including road trips with her grandkids and annual summer visits to Lake Melissa, MN. Nancy was affectionately known as "Graham Cracker" to her grandchildren and "GG" (great-grandma) by her great-grandchildren.

Nancy moved to Sioux Falls in 2018, and on to Fargo in 2021. At the time of her passing, she resided at BeeHive Home Assisted Living, Moorhead, MN. She is survived by her children, Tom (Nancy) Paulson, Sioux Falls, SD, Julie (Bud Hagen) Paulson, Fargo, ND, and Cathy (Kevin Berg) Paulson, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Janna (Kevin) Meyer, Harrisburg, SD, Jennifer (Mason) Knoll, Davenport, ND, Danielle (Travis) Peterson, Montrose, SD, and James (Madeline) Sorenson, Copper Mtn., CO. Nancy is also survived by eight great-grandchildren.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Bill; and husband, Hank.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Homeward Animal Shelter, 1201 28th Ave. N., Fargo, ND 58102; homewardonline.org