Craig Stephen Colberg

Craig was born on August 23, 1951, in Mitchell, South Dakota, to Lillian and Warren Colberg. In one of those small-world coincidences, he and his wife eventually discovered that they were born in the same hospital and delivered by the same physician.

In 1969 he graduated from Milbank High School, where he was on the varsity football and wresting teams. He was active in vocal music, was a member of the National Honor Society, and represented his school at Boys’ State and All-State Chorus.

After high school graduation, his pursuit of higher education first took him to the South Dakota School of Mines. However, the sudden death of his father motivated him to transfer to the University of South Dakota where he changed his focus from engineering to pre-med. He received his B.S. degree in biology in 1973 and was a member of the USD School of Medicine’s charter graduation class in 1977. After completing a one-year residency program at Mercy Hospital in Denver, he returned to South Dakota to complete a residency in obstetrics and gynecology.

He delivered thousands of babies during the course of his career and was humbled and honored by the trust placed in him by his many patients. His picture is most likely in hundreds of baby books as he proudly holds a newborn he helped bring into the world. As much as he loved his medical practice, he equally loved his role as an instructor for third-year medical students and family practice residents, twice being chosen as teacher of the year by his students and sharing the award a third year.

Craig was a true Renaissance man with an incredible sense of adventure and zest for life. He bought his first motorcycle when he was 16 and owned at least one bike until his death. He was an expert skier on both snow and water where his only speed was fast, and he delighted in the spectacular crashes that were sometimes the result of this speed. He also enjoyed scuba diving, woodworking, welding, photography, hunting, and fishing, filleting fish with surgical precision. On a dare, he even tried bull riding-once. He could fix his car, rewire a house, and repair the plumbing. He loved to go shopping, especially for tools, and couldn’t pass up a good bargain, hence the huge assortment of shovels hanging in his garage that caused one landscaper to gasp, “Just how many holes can one man dig?” He also had a life-long passion for music. Craig sang in many vocal groups, including the Greeley Chamber Choir, the Faith United Church of Christ choir and its praise band, Leap of Faith. However, he did not enjoy the years of piano lessons forced on him by his well-meaning parents, once even requesting Ann Landers’ help to convince them to allow him to quit. Some of Craig’s favorite volunteer commitments included working at the 9Health Fair and serving on the Board of Directors for the Greeley Medical Clinic and his neighborhood homeowners’ association.

He met his future wife, Denise, when they were performing at the Lewis and Clark Playhouse in Yankton, South Dakota. They were married on June 29, 1978, and recently celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary.

They were blessed with one daughter, Callie. Of all his accomplishments, Craig was most proud to be “Daddy” to Callie. He taught her so many essential life skills, like how to escape from under your overturned canoe on the fast-running water of the Poudre River, how to do donuts on the ice when you’re first learning how to drive, plus how to blow out a pea when it’s stuck inside your nostril. He was thrilled to add the title of “Grandpa” to his resume when his only grandchild, Adelaide, was born.

He would probably be pretty perturbed by this lengthy obituary so we’re begging forgiveness rather than asking permission, but it’s hard to pay tribute to such an amazing man in just a few words. Those who knew him best would describe him as a hard-working, smart, funny, kind man of great integrity and strong Christian faith. The world has truly lost one of the good guys.

Welcoming Craig into heaven are his father, Warren, and brother Douglas, as well as numerous other relatives and friends. He is survived by his wife Denise, daughter Callie (Patrick) Dimagiba, and granddaughter Adelaide, all of Windsor, CO, and his mother Lillian of Milbank, South Dakota.

A man of science and life-long learning, Craig chose to donate his body to the Sanford School of Medicine Body Donation Program at the University of South Dakota for the purpose of medical education. For anyone wanting to make a memorial contribution at this time in Craig’s honor, the family respectfully asks that donors consider gifts in his name to United Way of Weld County, Faith Church of Windsor, Dementia Together, or a favorite charity of the donor’s choice sent in care of Ahlberg Funeral Chapel, 326 Terry Street, Longmont, CO 80501. Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases and to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance, a celebration of life will be held at a future date.

Craig’s family wishes to thank the staff at Good Samaritan Society Water Valley, Good Samaritan Society Bonell Community, and Pathways Hospice, as well as his personal health care team, for their compassionate care.