CRAIG, Mary Lou

Wickenburg Sun (Wickenburg, Arizona) Wednesday, April 8, 2026, p. A-4 Mary Lou Osterlund Craig passed away peacefully on March 21, 2026, the first day of spring, at her home in Wickenburg. She was 91 years old. "Lou" was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Sept. 24, 1934, the second of three children of Elva Mae (Osbun) and John Osterland. Lou was born with profound deafness due to her mother's contact with the rubella virus (German measles) during pregnancy. All her life, Lou was a master lipreader and untimately her deafness taught her resilience, persisitence and determination. It never defeated her, but instead inspired her to try harder and to stay curious about the world. The family moved to Colorado, then Texas, and finally Florence, Ala., in 1951. It was there that Lou met and married Carl Craig and started a family. Lou loved to learn, and she loved to teach. She had compassion for everyone, especially those who needed it most, so special education was a natural choice as her life's work. Lou applied her degrees as special education and English teacher in Alabama, then California, and finally in Bullhead City, Ariz., where she retired in 2001. She loved her work and her students, and they loved her. Lou loved to travel with family and with friends. She loved nature, so many trips were to the beautiful places in America's great outdoors. In her late years, she found much joy in watching the birds at her backyard feeder. The chipmunks and bunnies entertained her immensely as well. Lou was full of good cheer, always creating a fun time and finding something to smile or laugh about, even on cloudy days. Her good feelings rubbed off on others. This is the most endearing part of her legacy; and her childlike wonder will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Lou is survived by her children and their families, Diane (Kim) Hanson and their son Zachary in Jamestown, N.D.; Clifton Craig in Huntsville, Ala.; Glenn (Janine) Craig in Townsend, Tenn.; Nancy Craig in Wickenburg; and her grandson Ben (Allie) Hanson and great-grandson baby Cal in Eden Prairie, Minn.
Posted by Pat R on May 20, 2026

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