Craig David Frommelt

Craig was born on March 7, 1953, in East Dubuque, Illinois. He was raised by his late parents, Harland "Styx" and Arlene Frommelt. Craig was a curious, clever kid with a love of learning. When he wasn’t making trouble with his cousin Debbie, he was waiting tables at his parents’ East Dubuque nightclub, the Esquire, where he learned responsibility and humor in equal measure—an early reflection of the balance he carried throughout his life.

Craig spent countless hours in his grandfather Ray Sanger’s basement barbershop. From Grandpa Sanger, he learned woodworking, pool tricks, and life lessons that guided him until his death.

A first-generation college graduate, Craig earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, in 1976. While at Bradley, he joined Sigma Phi Delta Engineering Fraternity and eventually became its vice president. His fraternity years were filled with late-night studying and equally late-night parties. He built friendships that lasted a lifetime, with stories of those years being told for decades.

Craig began his engineering career in 1972 as a college co-op at Central Illinois Light Company (CILCO/Ameren). He remained with the company for 40 years until retiring as a senior manager in 2012. Craig was a Licensed Professional Engineer, Certified Energy Manager, and Certified Power Quality Professional. He was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and presented research on stray and contact voltage.

Craig married his wife, Sue, in 1979 and built a life in Peoria, Illinois, where they raised their only daughter, Katrina “Katie”. Craig spent his evenings helping with homework, his weekends cooking and gardening, and his summers vacationing with family and friends. He was endlessly supportive of his daughter’s theatre career, providing countless opportunities and never missing a performance.

Craig was deeply devoted to his parents throughout their lives. He visited them regularly in Dubuque, took them on cruises, and cared for them after they moved to Peoria.

Craig spent his retirement learning ballroom dancing, cooking at Elks Lodge 20, traveling, and hosting friends and family. He was most proud of the wooden puzzles, toys, and furniture he made for his grandchildren, many of them modeled after the ones made for him by his own grandfather.

In 2015, Craig and Sue relocated to Colorado, a move that allowed Craig to fully embrace his favorite role: Grandpa. With his grandsons, Craig shared his love of woodworking, always engineering a way to help them bring their creative ideas to life. Craig and his youngest grandchild, whom he affectionately nicknamed “Littlebit”, spent countless hours cuddling on the couch, watching princess movies, and having hilarious conversations.

Craig spent many hours with the Highlands Ranch Senior Club and was a proud inaugural member of the new Highlands Ranch Senior Center. He was a member of Pax Christi Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Craig was known to his closest family and friends for his quiet generosity, lively sense of humor, and practical wisdom. He loved to travel and generously treated his family to unforgettable experiences. His two favorite cruises were the last two he took with his grandchildren—one through Alaska and the other along the California coast.

Craig walked his 12-year journey with heart failure with strength and grace, supported by his family and the finest physicians in Denver.

Craig is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sue Frommelt (née Kuntz); daughter Katrina “Katie” (Everett) Fritz; three grandchildren; siblings Tom (Kim) Taylor and Carla Taylor; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Donations may be made in Craig’s memory to The Denver Hospice.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Pax Christi Catholic Church, 10675 Jaguar Dr, Lone Tree, CO 80124. Family will begin receiving guests at 10:15 AM.

Following the funeral, a committal service will take place from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery, 6601 South Colorado Blvd, Centennial, CO 80121.

For those unable to attend in person, the funeral will be live-streamed. See link in the service section of this page.