Craig Michael Niemiste, age 76 of Virginia, died Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Essentia - St. Mary's in Duluth. He was born June 12, 1948, in Waynesville, MO, to Wilbur and Eleanor (Holm) Niemiste, was a 1966 graduate of Virginia High School and attended Mesabi Jr. College. Craig was a U.S. Airforce veteran, serving in Texas, Mississippi, and Alaska. He worked for J & L Mining for 2 years, and Erie and LTV for over 22 years. He married Marianne Watt on May 5, 1985. Craig and Marianne owned Land of the Loon Scuba. His hobbies included scuba diving, hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling.

Craig is survived by his wife:  Marianne; children:  Heather (Nick) Kepler of Hibbing, and Erik Niemiste of Fargo, ND:  grandchildren:  Layla and Jackson Kepler, and Aubrey Niemiste; sisters:  Kathy Kaufmann and Sandy Stark, both of Virginia; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The Memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at   Peace United Methodist Church in Virginia.  Pastor    Rob Kopp will officiate. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To leave a remembrance online, see www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Erick Peter Person Children's Cancer Center Fund
502 E. Second Street, Duluth MN 55805
Web: https://www.essentiahealth.org/foundation/give-a-gift

Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest
818 Fulton Street SE, Minneapolis MN 55414
Web: https://www.rmhc-uppermidwest.org/Support/index.html