Doris Marie (Severin) Craig was born Nov. 21, 1951, at the Columbus Hospital to Fred and Ethel Severin. She died peacefully July 28, 2025, at the age of 73 in Lincoln, after living a life rooted in faith, family and service to others.
Doris grew up on a farm north of Leigh and was baptized, confirmed and married at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Leigh. She spent a lot of time in the kitchen helping her mom cook and playing with her sisters and cousins throughout her childhood, taught Sunday school, Bible school and was a member of the church choir and Luther League. She attended District 54 grade school, graduated from Leigh High School in 1969 and moved to Columbus after graduation to work at a law firm.
On Aug. 15, 1970, Doris married the love of her life, Ford Craig, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Leigh. They were married for 54 years and together they had two daughters, Jody and Jill. Faith was important to her. She served as a thoughtful and supportive volunteer and leader at every church she was a member of throughout her life.
Ford’s career in education took them to St. Paul for four years, North Platte for four years, McCook for 14 years and back to North Platte for 23 years. Doris completed a bachelor's degree in business administration at the University of Nebraska at Kearney during the family’s time in McCook, and she worked as a legal assistant at various law firms in each community over the years. In 2015, Ford and Doris moved to Seward to be closer to their three granddaughters, McKenzie, Zoey and Cora.
Doris enjoyed spending time with friends and family, cooking, gardening, walking, traveling, scrapbooking, completing crossword puzzles and playing piano. One of her greatest gifts was her ability to make friends and family always feel welcomed and loved. She loved family and friend gatherings and always made time for her three granddaughters. Being a wife, mother, grandmother and sister were her greatest joys. Ford and Doris spent many of their retired years traveling the world with family and a group of lifelong friends.
She is survived by her children, Jody Craig of Lincoln, and Jill (Thom) Martin of Seward; granddaughters, McKenzie Martin, Zoey Martin and Coralynn Martin, all of Seward; sisters, Dianne (Wayne) Hellbusch of Columbus and Darlene Charipar of Leigh; and nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ford M. Craig; parents, Fred and Ethel Severin; parents-in-law, Norman and Betty Craig; infant grandson, Thomas Howard Martin; brother-in-law, Frankie Charipar, and nephew Rick Charipar.
The funeral service will be Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Leigh with a graveside service following at the Leigh Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, plants and statues, memorial contributions are suggested to the family for future designation or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Arrangements by Kracl Funeral Chapel in Schuyler.
