May 20, 1944 - May 19, 2022
Dr. Craig Milton Ellsworth was born May 20, 1944, in Spencer, the son of John and Helen (Wiesley) Ellsworth. He grew up in Gillett Grove graduating from Gillett Grove High School in 1962. He went on for two years at South Dakota State University for Pre-Vet and then went on to Iowa State University where he earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in in 1969.
Craig was united in marriage to Sue Taylor on Nov. 24, 1968, at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada. Together they moved to Lakota where Craig bought and operated the Lakota Veterinary Clinic for 47 years. Craig loved being a vet working with animals and their owners.
Craig loved fishing, especially at the family cabin in Spirit Lake as well as annual trips to Canada. He enjoyed spending his winters in Apache Junction, Ariz. He and Sue would go riding their ATV in the desert and in the mountains with many friends. He also enjoyed following his grandkids’ sporting events, sharing with them his passion for fishing and playing cards with family and friends.
Craig died May 19, 2022, at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato. He was 77.
He is survived by his wife, Sue of Lakota; sons, Chad (Melanie) Ellsworth of Johnston, Scott (Nicole) Ellsworth of Ledyard, and Justin Ellsworth of Lakota; grandchildren, Ryan and Owen Ellsworth, and Myles and Wyatt Ellsworth; step-grandson, Jaxson Dahl; brothers, Brian (Patty) Ellsworth of Kendall, Wis., John Ellsworth of Algona, and Kent (Sue) Ellsworth of Humboldt; sister-in-law, Rita Ellsworth of Buffalo Center; sister-in-law, Kaye Ostrich of Nevada and many nieces and nephews.
Craig was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Ross, and in-laws, Bill and Ethel Taylor.
A memorial service for Dr. Craig Ellsworth was held on May 25, 2022, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakota. In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to the North Iowa 4-H Club for a community service project to be done in Lakota. Online condolences may be left at www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com