Craig Schwehr

A strong and quiet man left this world on the evening of February 9, 2012, leaving a void in the lives of those who loved him. The loss of him will be felt deeply in the communities of Lavina, Broadview, Roundup and Melstone, along with a sense of disbelief that the long battle has finally been lost. Craig Michael Schwehr came into this world on November 7, 1972 and soon captured all who met him with his easy smile and good-natured temperament. After living many places, Craig's family settled in Melstone, Montana, a place that Craig came to consider his home town. Craig made quick friends everywhere he went and his friendly nature meant that he was always happy to go along with crazy stunts and practical jokes. He played basketball and developed a love of track and field, competing as a distance runner. Fate stepped in Craig's senior year when his sister Karla set him up with Kelli Goffena for a prom date. This date was the start of a romance that led to marriage on August 1, 1993. Both Craig and Kelli were thrilled to welcome son Michael Craig on October 7, 1994 and daughter Madison Brooke on September 21, 1995. Craig relished the role of fatherhood and took seriously his task of raising his children well. In the spring of 1997, Craig's life changed unexpectedly. What doctors thought might be a severe allergic reaction turned out to be Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This diagnosis was life-altering and marked the start of a fifteen year battle that Craig fought valiantly. Though the fight left him drained physically, Craig's mental toughness was evident to those around him. Looking in the face of death more than once, Craig refused to subscribe to the fact that miracles were not possible, and let his love of life and family be his fuel for the fight. Even with a losing hand dealt to him, Craig continued to smile, and live and work. He had an unending love of the outdoors. He relished camping and fishing trips with his family, often spending more time baiting hooks than fishing himself. He could build a better campfire than most, and his love of cooking left many satisfied bellies after a meal. If a friend needed a hand, Craig was always eager to help. He especially liked to combine during harvest, and would look forward to the fall of every year. When a severe infection left Craig on dialysis, he gritted his teeth and forged ahead despite the toll it left on his body. In between dialysis sessions, Craig enrolled in MSU-Billings to complete his teaching degree in high school mathematics. He was enthusiastic to start his first teaching job as a Bronc at his alma mater, Melstone High School. His quiet demeanor and supportive nature won over his students, and they prospered. In his second year of teaching, Craig found his true passion and took over the Melstone track program. He spent countless hours working with his athletes, and counted their successes as some of his proudest moments. Craig knew that his time on this Earth was limited, and lived every day to the fullest. His goals were related to his family: to see his kids graduate and to support them and guide them to fulfill their utmost potential as students, athletes and citizens. He often preached the importance of working hard, and emphasized that trying one's best was a far better goal than being the best. Even in his final months when his body was failing, Craig's thoughts and attention turned to others. He worried about the people around him and how his illness affected his family. He did his best to be supportive, even when he himself needed care. Craig enjoyed listening to his kids' ball games on-line, fussing over report cards and worried over burdening his family. He leaves behind his wife, Kelli and his two children Michael and Madison of Lavina; his dad Don Schwehr of Walla Walla, Washington; his mother Mary Lou Vaughan of San Angelo, Texas; his sister Karla (Shawn) MacCatherine of Billings; his brother Timothy (Sarah) of Sasebo, Japan; and brother Nicholas of Atlanta, Georgia. He also leaves behind a number of nieces, nephews and students who will be forever affected by the time spent with him. Service: Visitation will be held from 10 AM to 6 PM, Wednesday, February 15th with rosary and vigil to follow at 6 PM at the Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM at St. Pius X Catholic Church with committal at Holy Cross Cemetery and luncheon to follow.