Joan Craig celebrated her 100th birthday on August 24, 2020. Born in Sulphur, SD on August 24, 1920 to Marie (Heying) Patterson and William Patterson, she was one of five children: Maureen, Joan, William, Patricia, and Kathryn.
Joan grew up on the family ranch outside of Mud Butte, SD and often shared stories of her childhood adventures. She married Harry Craig in Las Vegas in 1941; after the war they moved back to Spearfish, SD. She attended Black Hills Teachers College, where she earned her education degree. She was a devoted wife and mother whose love for education had a positive influence on her children and many children's lives beyond her family.
Her lifelong passion was education. She began her career in a one-room teacherage at the age of 17, and continued teaching in South Dakota until 1957, when Joan and Harry moved to Los Alamos, NM. Joan taught elementary students in Los Alamos, earning two Master's Degrees, one in administration and another in psychology and counseling, at Adams State College in Colorado. She went on to become the first woman principal in the Los Alamos school system and later was an administrator for the New Mexico State Department of Education.
One of Joan's avocations was square dancing. Her husband, Harry, was a square dance caller, and they both loved to dance; their weekends were often spent dancing and socializing with their friends.
She also had a love for adventure and she and Harry enjoyed exploring the outdoors and camping in their travel trailer. They traveled and hiked extensively around the western United States.
Joan was passionate in her beliefs. She was a grounded and strong woman who was always there when needed for family and friends. She provided wisdom and compassion and led by example for her entire life. As a devout Catholic, she inspired her family and friends to live life to the fullest.
Joan Margaret Craig died on Friday, November 6, 2020, at her home in Rapid City.
Joan will be greatly missed by her friends and surviving family: her son, Charles William Craig, his wife, Bobbi, and their children, Kristen and Yates and his wife, Kali; her daughter, Joni Biddle and her sons, Kirk and his wife, Roann, and Daryle and his children, Kylie, Ian, and Macalah; and her surviving younger sister, Kathryn and her husband, Greg.
Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish, SD, on Monday, November 16, 2020, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. with Father Zane Pekron as celebrant. Committal service will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

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