Craig Allen Jessen

Craig Allen Jessen, age 61, of Thornton, Co, formerly of Redfield, SD, passed away Monday, December 20, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family and friends. Funeral service will be at 1:00 pm on Friday, January 7, 2022, at the St Stephens Lutheran Church in Northglenn, CO. Visitation will be at the Olinger Funeral Home in Thornton, CO on Thursday, January 6, 2022 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. with family present to accept condolences.

Craig was born on July 15, 1960 in Redfield, SD, to Darwin (Hice) and Sharol Jessen. He graduated from Redfield High School in 1978. Craig’s career was a superintendent for Delta Drywall construction for over 35 years.

On April 12, 1980, Craig married Kim Riddle of Doland, SD, the love of his life, in Redfield, SD and to this union, three children were born, Kristin, Brandy, and Amber. The girls were the light of his eyes. After Kim's passing, Craig found love again and married his high school sweetheart, Shawn Ringgaard on August 31, 2008.

Craig was a member of the St Stephens Lutheran Church in which faith and God was so important to him. Craig had a deep faith in God and talked about it often. Craig loved the great outdoors whether it was hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, & gardening. But his greatest love after family & God was golfing. He spent countless hours golfing and was a member of the Riverdale Men's Golf Club. He attended several golf tournaments with Shawn, Mark Ell or Blaine Zainhofsky as his golf partners winning and placing in several tournaments. Craig & Shawn loved to camp with the Riddle crew as they were very important family. Every October, Craig would come back to South Dakota to pheasant hunt and attend all the fun activities his brothers and family could fit into his visit. He was a Denver Bronco fan and played fantasy football for many years. Craig and Shawn always had the TV on football, and they knew all the players and stats inside and out. Craig was a kindhearted and patient soul. He always had a smile on his face and would give you the shirt off his back for anyone.

Until we meet again, we think about you always, we talk about you still, you have never been forgotten, and you never will. We hold you close within our hearts and there you will remain, to walk and guide us throughout our lives, until we meet again.

Craig is survived by his wife, Shawn Jessen of Thornton, CO; three daughters: Kristin Jessen, Brandy Jessen, and Amber (Andrew) Kajfosz; two stepsons: Brandon (Danielle) Dreher and Ryan Dreher; four grandchildren: Jenna, Kylie, Noah, and Hunter; two step grandchildren: Isabel & Jack; two brothers Russel (Elaine) Jessen and Brad (Kristina) Jessen of Redfield, SD; several aunts, uncles, sister and brother in laws, mother in laws, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Kim Jessen, father and mother Darwin and Sharol Jessen, father-in-law Donald Riddle and father-in-law Jim Ringgaard, mother-in-law Laverne Riddle, sister-in-law Candance (Candy) Wolf, and brother-in-law Dennis Hansen.

A visitation for Craig will be held Thursday, January 6, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, 10201 Grant St, Thornton, CO 80229. A funeral service will occur Friday, January 7, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 10828 Huron Street, Northglenn, CO 80234. A graveside service will occur Friday, January 7, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 10201 Grant St, Thornton, CO 80229.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the Jessen family.