Geraldine Mary Althoff Craig

Geraldine Mary Althoff Craig, 83, of Bella Vista, Ark., died Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at her home. She was born Nov. 18, 1929, in Mankato, Minn., to John Bachmeyer and Catherine Schaack Bachmeyer, the second youngest of 11 children. She was raised and educated in Mankato, Minn. Geraldine married Dennis A. Althoff on Feb. 5, 1949, in Mankato, Minn. They moved to Austin, Minn., to raise their large family. Geraldine returned to school, obtained a cosmetology license and operated the Belle Beauty Salon in Austin for several years. They moved to Bella Vista, Ark., in 1986 and Dennis passed away in December 1988. Geraldine was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church, but was presently attending the United Lutheran Church. She married Ted L. Craig on June 4, 2005. She was preceded in death by her parents: first husband, Dennis Althoff; an infant daughter; daughter Tammy; grandson, Patrick; six brothers: Norbert, Raymond, Walter, Lawrence, Norman and Gilbert Bachmeyer; and three sisters: Marcella Benning, Pauline Heiser and Catherine Pierce. Geraldine is survived by her husband, Ted L. Craig of Bella Vista, Ark.; four sons: Rick Althoff and wife, Mary, of Sioux Falls, S.D., Randy Althoff and wife, Gloria, of Jordan, Minn., Terry Althoff and wife, Deb, of Luverne, Minn., Larry Althoff and wife, Kim, of Wausau, Wis.; nine daughters: Nancy Petersen and husband, Scott, of North Mankato, Minn., Ginny Althoff of Bismarck, N.D., Wendy Murphy and husband, Dave, of Adams, Minn., Kathy Hughes and husband, Steve, of Kasson, Minn., Cindy Toby of Elkton, Md., Lorry Adkins and husband, Victor, of Knoxville, Iowa, Kelly Cheramy and husband, Dan, of McFarland, Wis., Tracy Ramsey of Madison, Wis., Becky Quisenberry of Bentonville, Ark.; one brother: Clem Bachmeyer and wife, Linda, of Mankato, Minn.; 41 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Geraldine is also survived by two stepsons: Robert Craig and wife, Sharon, of Yukon, Okla., and Nathan Craig and wife, Janice, of Edmond, Okla.; as well as three stepgrandchildren and several stepgreat-grandchildren. Mom will be deeply missed by her family, and she will always be our "Mama Angel." A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, at the United Lutheran Church, 100 Cooper Road, Bella Vista, Ark. A Mass will be held at Queen of Angels Church, Austin, Minn., at a later date. Arrangements are by the Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory, 2258 Forest Hills Blvd, Bella Vista, Ark. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.