Craig Hildreth

Craig Hildreth, age 68, of Gardner, ND made his transition to Spirit early on August 19th, 2019 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. Craig Thomas Hildreth was born March 3rd, 1951 to Ralph and Dorothy (Stirling) Hildreth. He grew up in Gardner, ND and continued to live there until his passing. 

    Craig graduated from Argusville High School in 1969. He went on to attend Mayville State University, then transferred and graduated from Moorhead State University with a degree in Elementary Education. He enjoyed successful college basketball careers at both schools. Craig went on to teach elementary grades in Borup, MN and later Argusville-Gardner Elementary, eventually becoming School Principal for Cass Valley North Elementary in Grandin, ND.  In 1979, Craig left teaching and started working for United Parcel Service in Fargo, ND. He continued with UPS for the next 30 years, retiring in 2009. He spent his few years in retirement traveling to visit his children and grandchildren, while working as a crop adjuster for Farmer’s Mutual Hail Insurance and helping family farm in Argusville, ND.

   Craig married Carol Walkinshaw on September 4th, 1971. Together they had four children, Bryan, Stephanie, Stacy and Ashley, and raised their family in Gardner, ND. 

    Craig was a community staple and supporter of local events.  Many people associate Craig with basketball, a game he played and truly enjoyed.  He was at every one of his children's ball games, always in his brown UPS shirt having rushed to finish his UPS route. Craig continued to support the local teams around the area. It was not uncommon for Craig to purchase pizzas for a team (especially if they were having a tough season) to have in their locker room after the game, and then leave the gym before the team would know who gifted them. 

   Craig will be remembered for his dry sense of humor and his love of playing jokes on family and friends. He loved his family and grandchildren and always was a pillar of support and strength for them. He rooted for the underdog, cared that everyone had a fair chance and, above all, treated others the way he would have wanted to be treated. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be deeply missed and greatly remembered. 

   Craig is survived by his wife, Carol; mother Dorothy Hildreth; mother-in-law Mildred Walkinshaw; brother, Gary (Connie)  Hildreth; sister Marilyn (Allyn) Koehlmoos his four children,  Bryan Hildreth, Fargo, ND; Stephanie (Jamie) Bailey, Rogers, MN; Stacy (Israel) Flores, Colorado Springs, CO;  and Ashley (Sean) Wilson, Chippewa, PA;  his six grandchildren, Brenna and Avory Hildreth; Isaiah, Jacob and Fe Flores, Jackson Wilson and a large extended family. Craig was preceded in death by his father, Ralph (Ham) Hildreth; his grandparents, Robert and Mary Stirling and Guy and Bessie Hildreth; father-in-law, Warren Walkinshaw; sister-in-law, Marilyn Larson; and nephew, Joseph Koehlmoos.

            Visitation will be held Friday, August 23rd, 2019, from 5:00-7:00 P.M., with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 P.M., at West Funeral Home in West Fargo. Visitation will continue Saturday, August 24, 2019, from 10:00-11:00, with a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 11:00 A.M at Northern Cass High School near Hunter, ND.  In lieu of flowers donations in his memory can be made to the Argusville Congregational United Church of Christ.  The family wants to say a sincere thank you Dr. Denise Snow and the entire Sanford Broadway Hospital 7th floor Oncology staff for their excellent care.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center  

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