Craig Newkirk

Craig Newkirk
May 19, 1955 - December 30, 2011
Homestead, Iowa
Visitation: 1:00 to 7:00 pm January 01, 2012 at Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:30 AM January 02, 2012 at St. John Lutheran Church near Homestead
Interment: January 02, 2012 at St. John Cemetery
Homestead- Craig Theo Newkirk was born May 19, 1955 in Williamsburg, Iowa, the son of Vergil and Donna (Ahlberg) Newkirk. He attended St. John's Lutheran School near Homestead and graduated from Williamsburg High School. Craig was united in marriage to Sandra Brack on June 18, 1977 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oxford. Craig was a lifelong farmer and considered it an honor to be the steward of four family farms. The couple started farming in 1977 on the Ahlberg farm. They farmed the Haack farm, the Brack farm and in 1997 the family became the sixth generation to farm and live on the original Newkirk farmstead south of Homestead. 2011 marked the 60th year of farming the St. John's Church Farm and the 23rd year of the Hilda Driscoll farm. Craig enjoyed raising livestock, planting crops, discussing the markets and "farming from the windshield" with his fellow farmers. He was always ready to lend a hand to someone in need and served his community by being an active member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Homestead. He had been a member of the choir and served many offices on the Church Council including the Board of Education for Lutheran Interparish School. He was a member of the Iowa County Cattleman's, Iowa County Farm Bureau and Pheasants Forever. Craig's idea of a good time was having everyone home for a homecooked meal, a good game of cribbage or Sheepshead and spending time with people he cared about. He never understood why people took vacations when home was the best place to be. He cheered for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs. Craig loved to fish, hunt, and take the grandsons for Ranger rides. Craig died Friday, December 30, 2011 at his home with his loving family by his side. Craig is survived by his wife Sandy; three daughters: Katie (Craig) Brown of Cedar Rapids, Elizabeth (Ian) Culver of North Liberty and Hannah Newkirk of Homestead; two grandsons: Kirk Edward and Hayden Theo Brown; a sister: Linda Newkirk of Dallas, Texas; sister-in-laws: Kathy Brack, Marcia Dawson and Michelle Brack of Oxford, Dianna Brack of Tiffin, brother-in-laws Terry Brack (Brenda) Oxford and Laren Wille, Belle Plaine; and seven nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Vergil and Donna Newkirk, grandparents Carl and Mary Ahlberg and Ted and Emma Newkirk, his in-laws Richard and Joyce Brack, sister-in-law Susan Wille and brother-in-law Daniel Brack. A Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 am Monday, January 2, 2012 at St. Johns Lutheran Church near Homestead. Visitation will be 1:00 to 7:00 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012 at Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg. Burial will be in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials are for Lutheran Interparish School, St. John Lutheran Church or Iowa City Hospice. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries. The family would like to thank the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa Hospital and Iowa City Hospice for the excellent care Craig and his family received. We would also like to thank the 2011 Harvest Crew for their efforts and support. We live in a wonderful community!