Craig Heki

Craig Heki, age 74, of Vienna, SD, passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at his daughter's residence in Watertown from a short battle with cancer.  Memorial services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown. 

Visitation will be at the funeral home prior to services.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.  

Craig was born on December 18, 1949, in Murray, UT to Wade and Eveyln (Kinsley) Heki. Sometime later they moved to Henderson, NV, where Craig finished high School. In 1970 he joined the United States Navy and did a tour in Vietnam where he was part of the United States Naval Construction Battalion aka The Seabees. He was honorably discharged from active duty and reserves in Dec. 1974.

He married Jeanne Motis in 1972, that resulted in three children, Elizabeth, Christina and Christopher. Craig worked at Kerr McGee where he helped make the rocket fuel for the Space Shuttle. He was also a first responder in Henderson, NV. In the late 1980’s he met the love of his life Christine. They married on Sept. 1, 1990. When Christine brought Craig to South Dakota for a visit he fell in love with the place. They moved here just a couple years after they married. Craig got a job with Angus Palm industries where he worked until he retired. 

Craig was a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team and loved to work with his hands inventing things. He was always tinkering with things even up to the last couple weeks of his life. Most of all his favorite thing to do was spend time with the grand kids and great grandkids.

Craig is survived by his three children, Elizabeth Heki, Salina, KS, Christina Heki, Charlotte, TX, Christopher Heki, Salina, KS; two step-children, Michael (Lois) Cowart, Las Vegas, NV, Katherine (Russ) Nurnberg, Watertown, SD; one brother, Glenn (Georgia) Heki, Henderson NV; two sisters, Kathleen (Jim) Rhyne, Modesto, CA, Lisa Heki (Robert Hickok), Reno, NV; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Christine; brother Jim Heki; his parents, Wade and Evelyn Heki;  granddaughter, Lisa Marie; grandson Jasper.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant

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