Verna Jean Harsha Craig died Saturday, June 22, at Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital in Grand Rapids, Minn.

Born November 11, 1934 at Itasca State Park, she was the fourth of ten children in the Cliff and Clara (Beck) Harsha family. The family moved to Park Rapids in 1936.

Verna Jean graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1952, and in 1954 she married Don Craig and moved to Grand Rapids.

Verna Jean worked for Gildemeister Motor Company for many years. She earned B.S. and M.S. degrees at Bemidji State University and spent 23 years teaching at Cohasset Elementary School.

Before she began her teaching career, Verna Jean led several Camp Fire Girl groups, served as a leader trainer, and was part of the local Camp Fire Board of Directors. She was also active in both the Grand Rapids Garden Club and the Eighth District Horticultural Society.

First Evangelical Lutheran was her church home. She worked for over 30 years with the church quilters' group.

Verna Jean was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers Bill, Myron, Rodger, and Dick, and sisters Barbara and Loree Cusey. She is survived by brother Robert and sisters Judy Fieldsend and Karol Jokela (all of Park Rapids), many nieces and nephews, and local friends Virgil and Vicki Nelson.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 10:00 AM at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MN with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM. Reverend Dr Patrick Lovejoy will officiate.