Craig H. Sagehorn

Craig H. Sagehorn, 81, of Sparta, died Thursday, March 31, 2022 at Morrow Memorial Home, Sparta. He was born September 12, 1940 in Mandan, North Dakota to George and Isabel (Wieger) Sagehorn. He grew up in Stanton, North Dakota.

Craig married Elenore M. Longen on February 13, 1962 in Norfolk, VA. He attended 1 year of college, then served in the United States Navy from 1960-1967.  He then went on to work as a soil tester for Soils Exploration in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After that, he worked at Jerry’s Hardware Store in Edina, Minnesota. After searching for a hardware store to purchase, he found one in Sparta, Wisconsin. He purchased that store from Dan Kelly in 1976, then moved to its present location in 1987.

In 2009, Paul purchased the store from his father and in 2016 Wyatt continued the family business by purchasing it from his father. Craig remained active in the store until December of 2021. Something else Craig thoroughly enjoyed was driving a semi-truck for his son Paul's business. In 2001 at the age of 61 he obtained his CDL. The truck he drove was unique as it was an actual truck used in the tv show "Bj and the Bear" from the early 1980's. The truck drew a lot of attention and although Craig wasn't fond of personal attention, he made many friends and had great conversations with people about the vehicle. 

Craig enjoyed attending the Iola Car Show, car collecting, and family trips-including Hawaii, the Caribbean by boat, Montana by train and Alaska.  He was also supportive of special needs programs in the area.

Craig is survived by his children, Catherine (John) Feltes of Prescott, WI, Lori (John) Stefanko of Rosemount, MN, Paul (Kristina) Sagehorn of Sparta, WI, Kristin (Jason) Pulham of Sparta, and Toni (Jesse) Aalberg of Rosemount, MN; grandchildren, Kelsey (Steve) Most, Jeffrey (Christina) Feltes, Jameson (Kayla) Feltes, Kylen (Zach) Romashko, Matthew, Ellen, Michael, and Annie Stefanko, Tara, Hank, and Wyatt Sagehorn, Olivia, Andre, and Emmitt Pulham, Nicholas, Elliot, and Isabel Aalberg; great-grandchildren, Charlie, Camden, Morgan, Maverick, Marin, and Kinley; sister, Jane (Peter) Vernig of Golden, CO; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elenore on December 1, 2008; and sister, Joan Vanni.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Father Eric Berns officiating. Burial, with full military honors provided by VFW Post 2112 and American Legion Post 100 of Sparta, will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Sparta.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the church.

Memorials can be made to Elks Camp Grassick, Dawson, ND, or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com

Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.  

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