1956-2024
Craig Allen Wedemeyer, age 67, of Adair, passed away on Friday, July 12, 2024, at Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Specialty Care Center in Urbandale.
Craig Allen Wedemeyer was born in Audubon on Sept. 21, 1956, to Leland and Marjorie (Frederick) Wedemeyer of rural Audubon County. He was their second child. Ten years later, a third son, Alan Dean “AJ” Wedemeyer, was added to the family.
Craig grew up with a love for all things mechanical and had hoped to own his own semi one day.
During his senior year of high school, he worked as the night manager for the Happy Chef Restaurant in Adair and gradually added working for Keith Gilliland at the Standard Station next door to the restaurant.
Craig graduated from Anita High School in 1975 and continued working for Keith until the business was sold to Ben Morris. The business became known as Morris I-80 Standard. He worked long and late hours for Morris, taking technical training at DMACC and was a fully certified ASE mechanic. His love was really for the towing (wrecker) business.
In March 1981, Craig was called out to tow in a drunk driver. This call would change the rest of his life. This is where he would meet his future wife, Brenda. It was love at first sight for both. (Note: Brenda was NOT the drunk driver!) They would share this story of how they “met by accident” many times through the years.
Craig and Brenda Lee (Deschler) were united in marriage a year later, on March 6, 1982. To this union, one son, Timothy John, was born. Tim would be the driving force behind his dad’s realization of the dream to one day own his own trucks.
A favorite story from the shop was the day an unknown contractor driving on Interstate 80 inadvertently dropped a case of nails on the highway. This began a mad rush in the shop as car after car pulled in to get their tires patched or put on new tires. As Craig told it: “You should’ve seen it! We were out there running every air hose we had changing or patching tires!”
Craig was always proud of the work he did in conjunction with the Iowa State Patrol, from taking gas out to stranded motorists (boring, but part of the job!) to accident recovery. He had a camaraderie with the officers that was much appreciated. After these instances, there was always a fresh, hot cup of coffee waiting back at the station and, occasionally, homemade chili made by his wife, Brenda.
We would be remiss not to mention his love for cats! They were ALL named “Fred,” even the females.
Craig also greatly enjoyed his three terms serving on the Adair City Council and had a hand in the new Adair Community Center building project.
Craig was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and his brother, Mark, who died in infancy.
He is survived by his wife, Brenda; his son, Timothy John, Tim’s wife, Amanda, and their children Emmett, Violet, and Cooper; his brother, “AJ” and his wife, Annette; niece, Rachel Wedemeyer, and nephew, David Wedemeyer; his mother-in-law, Norita Gour; and “Fred.”
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the Adair Community Building. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, and a luncheon will follow the service.
Interment will be held at Sunnyhill Cemetery following the luncheon.
Memorials may be directed to the Craig Wedemeyer Family, to be designated later to many of his favorite local organizations and charities. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.
Services are handled with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Adair.