Craig
Anderson
Craig Anderson passed away at 60 years on Friday, December 4. Craig fought a short, but hard battle with metastatic lung cancer. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dawn (nee Barse) Seaboy. He is survived by his best friend, ‘boss lady’ and wife of 43 years, Beverly.
Craig is also survived by his sisters Diann and Kristen. Craig leaves behind nieces, cousins, family and friends too numerous to count.
Craig was born and raised on the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota, where he met his wife, Bev.
Craig was the long-time President of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin (AICCW) and the Executive Director of First American Capital Corp (FACC). Craig was the “face” of the Indian Chamber of Commerce for many years. But better said, he was a “Warrior” for Native-owned businesses in Wisconsin. Craig was the co-founder of FACC, which became Wisconsin’s first loan fund to support Native-owned businesses in Wisconsin. FACC has become a nation-wide model for how to support minority owned business and support economic development.
For many years Craig served on the Tribal Task Force for WisDOT which ensured that Native-owned businesses participated in contracts for road building projects throughout Wisconsin. He served on other state and local committees that had the same objectives. Craig made sure that Native-owned businesses had a seat at the table and a voice in the decision making. He was passionate about promoting economic development in Wisconsin’s Native community.
In addition to being an advocate, Craig also provided one-to-one business counseling and assistance to countless small business people. He shared his time, talent and resources with everyone he met. Small business owners throughout Wisconsin have talked to Craig at one time or another for advice and assistance. He was their true Champion.
Additionally, Craig collaborated with the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce-Milwaukee and assisted the African American Chamber of Commerce sharing best practices and knowledge along the way.
Craig was the host of the AICCW reception at the Indian Summer Festival for many years. This event allowed tribal leaders and businesspeople from throughout the state to network and celebrate their accomplishments for the evening. Craig and Bev also organized the annual AICCW golf event held at Pine Hills Golf Course or the Thornberry Creek Golf Course. This was a signature event for Craig that he enjoyed every year because he was able to see old friends and make new ones. Over a 20 year span this event has raised over $300,000 for college scholarships for Native students pursuing their college education. Craig was proud of the fund raising, but he was even more proud of knowing that future generations of Native students were getting the financial resources they needed to live out their dreams and aspirations.
Previously, Craig and Bev lived in North Dakota and Florida before locating to Milwaukee almost 33 years ago. Craig was an Operating Engineer for many years and owned his own IT business before making the transition to working exclusively for Native-owned businesses in Wisconsin.
Craig had a love for golfing, fishing, grilling and cooking meals.
The family wishes everyone to stay safe and healthy and thus have made the decision to have a Memorial gathering for Craig in the spring/early summer. More details to come later.
My condolences. Craig was a great leader in the Native American community and will be missed. Prayers for his journey.
So sorry to hear about Craig’s death. His leadership skills will be missed. Bev and him were always a joy to be around. May the great spirit take him home to all the great leaders that came before him.
We are all so sorry to hear about the passing of Craig, he was such an incredible influence and champion for all the businesses that I opened. You are no longer suffering and are in a better place my friend. We will see each other sometime in an the future and I will be sure to bring tacos.
Thanks for all you did for me and all Native businesses!! You were a great warrior!!!!
Diane and I were shocked to hear about Craig’s passing. We got to see him about three months ago for the last time at a grocery store in Franklin. Always enjoyed talking to him.
He took a chance on me and gave me my first bigger landscape job which gave me a spring board to other accounts. Thanks for taking the chance and the friendship through the years. Rest well 💜
My sympathy to Bev and family. Craig was a great neighbor and hard worker around the condo complex.
To the family, my heartfelt condolences for your loss. Please find comfort in the knowledge that God promises to end all suffering. Before long, God will wipe out every tear from our eyes, and “death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”(Rev. 21:3,4). May this promise from God give you comfort now and a real hope for the future. My deepest sympathy.
Beverly, I am soooo sorry for your loss. I could never imagine what you are going through. I just don’t have words to say. Our prayers from myself and our staff at Haven TBS. Once again, I am so sorry for your loss!
My sincere condolences to you Bev
Sorry for your loss Beverly he was a great man.
Craig was a good friend, with a kind heart. God bless his soul.
We are so saddened by your loss Bev and family. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We so enjoyed working with Craig over the years and appreciated all he did for the Native American community and small businesses.
Bev and family, I am saddened to hear of Craig’s death. He was a wonderful person and strong advocate for native owned businesses. He was truly a warrior and will be missed.
Enjoyed working with Craig these past 25+ years. He will be missed!
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We lost an amazing man and champion for our people. He was and will always be, that bright light for Native business owners in Wisconsin’s Indian Country. He is also remembered as being a wonderful human being and a caring husband to his lovely wife. He was kind, funny, brave and brilliant. I’m so grateful to him for all that he accomplished for all of us, in his short life here on earth. Have a good journey, dear friend. We’ll see you again one day.
I always enjoy talking with Greg he was a good man and large heart good listener And a giver not a taker and really cool dude
I’m so sorry Beverly. Even though I have only known you and Craig for about three or four years, I have come to think of you guys as friends. As such, feel free to call if you need anything. My family and I will be grateful to help out with anything you need.
I’m so sorry to hear about Craig’s passing Bev. He was a great man and he did so much for the Native community
Our deepest condolences Beverly. The world lost a great man, he will be deeply missed.
Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss. Craig was influential to the success of our Small Business and Economic Development programs as well as to Native-owned businesses and individuals. He will always be remembered and missed. Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council Board of Directors, Bryan Bainbridge, CEO, and Carolyn LaVake, American Indian Economic Development Technical Assistance Program Director
My condolence to Beverly and the family. While he will be missed, those he left behind must and will continue with the work. On a personal note I am grateful for the opportunity to had known and worked with him.
Craig was a great man, an amazing mentor, and I’ll never forget how he believed in me and my business. I’m grateful for the time we had together and we’ll see you again one day. We will ALWAYS be available for you Bev.
Craig was one of the most straight forward and visionary people that I met when we first crossed paths in 2005. I do not believe that we can track the impact that he had on not only the Native but the minority business community in general. He will be greatly missed and we will make sure to honor his legacy and his work. Marjorie Rucker- Chair of the Ethnic and Diverse Business Coalition (EDBC)
Please accept my deepest condolences. Craig was a wonderful person and I am grateful to have known him and had the benefit of his advice and guidance over the years.
The Owner and Staff of S & H Installations, LLC wish to convey their deepest sympathy and condolences to Craig’s family and loved ones. We are pleased to have been acquainted with Craig and we will miss him. He was a pleasure to know and work with.
Bev, Dena and I are so sorry to hear of Craig’s passing. Craig was always a strong advocate for the Native and other minority communities that as others have expressed he is a true Warrior. I’m proud to have been associated with you both. May your memories comfort you.
Rez Threads is so sorry to hear about Craig. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you. He will be truly missed. He was a great man. He did so much for many people. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Glen & Angie Baker
Craig was always a leader. Many times I relied on his leadership, on jobsites, to not only do his job but add to the efforts of others in compleating the job. It wasn’t his way to stand back – He always came to the front and be counted. If things were wrong – Craig was the man who would Right it.
THANK You Craig. You were a Great Man and a Great Friend. I will miss You and Happily join you “On the other side”. Hap Pigsley
I am so glad our paths crossed so many years ago. The last time we met, you told how you had been to Mogadishu when you were in the military, Rest in peace my brother, till we meet again.
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Beverly my heart goes out to you and your family. Craig was a great guy to all that ever had the chance to know him. He was a wonderful friend, mentor, and colleague. He has been a champion for economic development in Wisconsin Indian Country and a warrior for Native-owned businesses. I’m sad that he has moved onto the spirit world, but he most definitely has left a legacy here in Wisconsin. Hugs and prayers to you Beverly. Fly high Craig.
My condolences to Bev and the family. Craig was a great leader who was very much respected for all of his accomplishments. May he rest in peace. He will be missed.
Craig – My friend. I will miss you. You are a great friend and I appreciate you so much. You thought I was nutz back in 2003 and to the day when we talked this year… you still thought I was nutz. The important piece in our friendship selfishly for me is… you believed in me and my crazy business ideas.
As we celebrate your life Craig… Thank you again for your support and all that you have done for Native American businesses and the community – This includes Bev and the entire Team at AICCW.
I will miss your humor, your laughter, your advice and your friendship.
See you in Heaven my friend.
Bev you are clearly surrounded by so much love and friendship – My deepest sympathy to you and of course please anything I can help you with….
Ron
So sorry to hear of Craig’s passing. He was one of the first people I met in the industry back in 2001. Always willing to visit, answer my questions, and just an all around good guy. Much love to you, Beverly, and your family.
My heart is heavy after learning of Craig’s passing. His impact as a guiding force in AICCW and FACC will never be forgotten.
I feel bad for anyone who never met Craig. My deepest condolences to Bev, family, and FACC/AICCW colleagues. Creator’s blessings for comfort and healing.
My condolences to Bev and family. Craig will be greatly missed. He was a blessing to so many and will be remembered always.
My condolences to Bev and the family, as well as the FACC/AICCW. Craig’s work impacted many for the better and anyone who came to know him, and will be missed.
My condolences to Bev Anderson and the family on the untimely passing of Craig. May God rest his soul!
Our deepest condolences for your loss. We had very few interactions with Craig, however, during the times when we di call upon him, he was really helpful and great! Craig’s spirit had a rippling effect and will be missed. Blessings to your family.
Madison Black Chamber of Commerce
From the desk of Crawford Asset Management: Craig Anderson was kind, sweet, thoughtful, encouraging, inventive and humble. Rare traits for most humans. He will be missed; but his memorable inspirations will never be missed for those who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him. For Craig, “The Holy Land is everywhere.”
Craig was right about Ron Spoerl. He certified that Ron was “nutz back in 2003.” But with an “s,” not a “z.”
Marcus Crawford
Thank you for giving me an intern job at a very difficult time in my life… you will forever be remembered fondly by me.
Thoughts and prayers for Beverly.