Craig Alan Kortekaas

Born to Roger and Carol Kortekaas on October 10, 1976 in St. Paul, MN, Craig later moved with his family to Florida and then to North Carolina. He was a graduate of East Mecklenburg High School and Appalachian State University where he received degrees in business and marketing.

Craig met Laddy, the love of his life, early in his banking career. Although they grew up in two different cultures, they celebrated those differences by embracing the uniqueness of the other. In September 2008, Craig and Laddy held a traditional Lao marriage ceremony in Charlotte, NC, and then were legally married a week later in Maui, HI.

In July 2022, their daughter Isla, the joy of Craig and Laddy’s world, was born. Known to Craig as “Pickle,” she would spend the next 3 years lighting up his life and would later serve as better medicine than anything science could possibly offer.

Always a dedicated and hard worker, Craig had a successful career in banking and worked tirelessly even through illness. He was well-loved among his co-workers.

Craig found that the heartbeat of life was being with those he loved most. He was whole-heartedly dedicated to family and was the life of every gathering. He had an infectious sense of humor and was the very definition of “the life of the party.” He could have you laughing until it hurt - and often did.

Craig lived a selfless, love-filled life. Just as much as he could fill a room with laughter and energy, he could bring you to tears with how much he cared for and loved each individual person. He made you feel like you were special and worth celebrating. He served others in every situation and was overwhelmingly generous with his time and resources.

Craig is survived by his wife, Laddy Phanthalack Kortekaas; daughter, Isla; parents, Roger and Carol Kortekaas; brothers, Barry (Tarra), Adam (Bethany), and Kevin (Heather); mother-in-law, Chanhsy Phanthalack; sisters-in-law, Laddie Phanthalack Swain (Jeff), Manisone Phanthalack, and Annie Phanthalack; nephews Hunter, Gavin, Grayson, and Elim; and niece Isabel. Craig was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Houmpheng Phanthalack.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 11:00 am at McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Charlotte, NC 28227. Following the service a Celebration of Life will be held from 3:00p -7:00pm at The Olde Mecklenburg Restaurant & Biergarten at Ballantyne, 15025 Bowl St, Charlotte, NC 28277. Olde Meck will validate parking. For those attending the Celebration of Life, please wear your gray Brain Cancer Awareness t-shirt if you have one.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Craig's memory to The Glioblastoma Research Organization (www.gbmresearch.org).