Iva Mae Craig

Surrounded by family, Iva Mae Craig passed away on July 18, 2024 at the North Platte Valley Medical Center at the age of 92.

Iva Mae Swanson was born on a ranch near Saratoga, Wyoming on December 2, 1931 to Leo and Sophia Clements Swanson. She lived in Saratoga and the Platte Valley area all of her life.

On May 3, 1947, Iva married Jack Craig. Together they had 6 children, 13 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren.

At Iva’s house, the kitchen was always the place to visit and have a meal with fresh vegetables from her garden and homemade bread, or at least coffee and cookies from the oven.

Grandma Craig loved camping, either in the mountains where she fished or on the desert where she hunted arrowheads. There was always family around her on these excursions.

After raising her children, Iva worked for the Pennock Family in their stores for more than 20 years.

Mrs. Craig is survived by her daughters, Connie (John) Powell and Cathy (Tom) Westring of Saratoga and a son, Robert (Tammy) Craig of Green River, Wyoming. Iva also leaves a brother, Kenneth (Alice) Swanson of Saratoga, and 25 grand and great grandchildren. Iva had many nieces, nephews, cousins and lots of other children who knew her as Grandma Craig.

Iva was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jack, two daughters, Cindy Lou Craig and Carrie Ann Craig and a son, William Craig. Iva’s brothers, Ben and John Swanson, preceded her as well as three grandchildren, Julie Powell, Craig Powell and Jacey Westring and a great, great grandson, Colby Craig.

Grandma Craig will be remembered for her popcorn balls that she loved making and sharing with at least two generations of trick-or-treaters every Halloween.

There will be a graveside service for Iva Mae Craig on August 9 at the Saratoga Cemetery at 6 p.m.