Brenda Bergsten Craig, 71, of Milford, Kansas died on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at Stonybrook Retirement Home in Manhattan, Kansas.
A funeral service will take place 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Johnson & Mass-Hinitt Funeral Home. Burial will follow the funeral at Randolph Fancy Creek Cemetery.
The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Friday, November 1, 2024 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to be given to Geary Community Healthcare Foundation P.O. Box 3015 Junction City, Kansas 66441.
She was born February 22, 1953, in Manhattan, Kansas the daughter of Eileen (Richter) and Raymond Glenn Bergsten.
She lost her father when she was eight months old and was raised by her mother who worked as a beautician with a salon in their home. The family lived in old Randolph town until it was flooded in 1957 when Tuttle Creek Reservoir was established. The threesome moved to Manhattan where they had lots of help from a loving extended family.
Brenda excelled in academics, Girl Scouts, music, and served as a student conductor for the high school stage band. She graduated from Manhattan High in 1971. She and Tom started dating toward the end of her senior year,
She studied Early Childhood Development at KSU and graduated with honors (magna cum laude & Phi Kappa Phi) in 1975. Shortly after graduation she married Tom Craig.
The two survived on her teaching salary while her husband completed medical school. Brenda was awarded a PHT (putting husband through medical school) in 1978. During Tom's residency for Internal Medicine, she attended Galveston Community College for financial and business classes. In 1981 she helped her husband open his medical practice serving as his office manager and assistant in all things.
In 1982 Tom and Brenda welcomed their daughter Rebecca and in 1987 their son James. Brenda took great delight in being a mother and spent as much time as possible with her children. The house was always full of kids needing love, laughter and a listening eart She was a mother to many wayward children that were not biologically hers.
Brenda was a huge support to her two children. She aided James with both his undergraduate and graduate school admissions applications. She helped her daughter Rebecca build her small business and pursue a post graduate degree. She and her husband Tom also provided support to their son-in-law Andrew Swarts when he became a successful small business owner.
She survived a terribie car accident in 1995 and supported her husband through three different cancer treatments and surgeries. Brenda also survived multiple strokes and heart attacks. During all these challenging fife events, her faith remained strong.
The last two years, she resided at Stoneybrook in Manhattan. During that time, many friends and family members came to visit, She was known for her compassion, humor, and generosity. Even after her last stroke she was always finding ways to help others and make people laugh, She will be greatly missed.
Survivors include her husband Dr. Tom Craig of Junction City, Kansas; one son, James Craig (Sarah) of Grantham, New Hampshire; one daughter, Rebecca Swarts (Andrew) of Manhattan, Kansas; one sister, Beth Bergsten of Manhattan, Kansas; four grandchildren, Charlotte, Leo, James and Joshua.