Craig S. Gierke

An only child, Craig was born in Escanaba on July 21, 1950 to Sherman and Evlalia “Vicki” (Mroczkowski) Gierke.

Craig grew up in Fairport where his dad was a commercial fisherman. He attended his freshman and sophomore years at Garden High School. After the death of his mother on June 18, 1966, Craig’s Uncle Henry Mroczkowski became his legal guardian. Craig went to live with his grandmother, Rose Mroczkowski in Bark River on her farm. His junior and senior years of high school were at Holy Name Catholic High School, graduating top of his class in 1968.

Receiving a full scholarship to Michigan Tech University, Craig graduated from college with a degree in business in 1972. While at Michigan Tech Craig joined Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.

In the fall of 1975 Craig began his near 40-year career with Radio Shack. He became a manager then a senior manager and was able to stay at the Escanaba Radio Shack until his retirement in February 2015 when the store closed. With the many incentives the Radio Shack offered to employees and managers, Craig and his wife who he met through his job, went on many wonderful places on the company.

Craig married the former Mary Brissette on June 23, 1986 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Menominee.

At Bay Area Medical in Marinette, WI their only child, a son, was on February 12, 1988. The date was the same Craig’s mother was born on 75 years earlier.

Craig served on the Escanaba Planning Commission prior to 1996. In 2019, Craig returned to serving on the planning commission resigning in July of this year.

In April of 1996 Craig was elected to the Escanaba City Council, serving as mayor from 1998-2000. In 2000 he won the election to serve four more years on the council.

Craig was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 640 and of the 4th Degree. Over the years with the Knights of Columbus, Craig held various state offices. Craig and family attended many Knights of Columbus state conventions at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island. They also attended the Knights of Columbus summer meetings at Tree Tops in Gaylord and the winter meetings in Kalamazoo. In 2006, the Gierke family were chosen family of the year of the Knights of Columbus. Craig and Mary were chosen by the state director to attend the Knights of Columbus International Convention in Arizona.

Craig was a member and past President of the Escanaba Noon Kiwanis. While he was president, he attended the International Kiwanis Convention in Europe. Craig became a member of the Golden Kiwanis a few years ago and was President. Due to Covid-19 the club members decided to disband the local club.

Craig was an active member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church. He served as a Lector and for a few years chaired the crew who made the pasties.

When the committee was formed to work on the campaign to bring the high school back to Holy Name Catholic School Craig was involved in this project.

Craig is survived by his wife, Mary of 34 years; son, Father Thomas Gierke, OSF; when Henry became Craig’s legal guardian, his three sons were moved to sibling status. Also, he is survived by Hank (Linda) Mroczkowski, Corky (Nancy) Mroczkowski, Sue Mroczkowski (widow of Dale), Dewey (Helen) Gierke, Penney Gierke, John Gierke, Shirley (Gierke) Lavalley and son Eric Gierke, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws George and Claire Brissette; sister and brother-in-law, Suzanne Burmaster May and Darwin May; cousin, Rodney Gierke; many Aunts and Uncles; cousins; and close friend, Brady Nelson.

The last trip Craig and Mary took was to Chicago on October 6, 2018 for their son Thomas’s Ordination on October 7 to the Priesthood in the rite of the Old Roman Catholic Church.

The family would like to thank U.P. Home Health and Hospice, Marquette for the care Craig received.

Visitation will be private. A Requiem Mass will be on Tuesday, December 15 at St. Joseph and St. Patrick Church at 3 p.m. with Rev. Timothy Ferguson officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Holy Name High School c/o 409 S. 22nd St. Escanaba, MI 49829.

A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net.