Craig Mensink, 61

Preston, Minn. - Craig Alan Mensink, age 61, of Preston, Minn. passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at his home on Jan. 17, 2018 after his heroic fight against cancer.

A Celebration of Life was held Jan. 22 at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to Christ Lutheran Church. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home of Preston is assisting the family.

Craig was born in 1956 in Preston to Wendell and Cleo (Miedema) Mensink. He graduated from Preston High school in 1974 and went on to graduate from Rochester Community Technical College in accounting. 

Craig briefly worked at Harvester and KFIL Radio before finding his true calling as a farmer. He and his wife, Pam, took over the family farm near Greenleafton, Minn. in 1977. With the addition of his son-in-law, Chad Persons, to the farm operations, he continued to work and harvest crops until he passed away. 

Craig was a passionate educator and promotor of pork farming. He served with Fillmore County Pork Producers, the Minnesota Pork Board and the National Pork Board. During his tenure with the National Pork Board, he worked on several committees and traveled to countries such as Japan, China, Brazil and Russia. He received numerous accolades for his farming. In 2011 Craig and Pam were awarded the Minnesota Farm Family of the Year for Fillmore County, and in 2017 Craig received the Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota Pork Board in recognition of his selfless service to the pork industry. 

He was also a devoted servant to his local community and volunteered time to his church, Christ Lutheran, 4-H and cooked and donated pork to numerous events around Fillmore County.

Craig married Pam (Hovey) in 1977, celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in 2017. They have three children, Mike (Rachel) Mensink, Mandy (Nate) Olsen and Megan (Chad) Persons; three grandsons, Owen and Asher Olsen, Jackson Persons; and one granddaughter, Lizzie Mensink.

The pride that Craig took in his farm was only overshadowed by the pride he took in his kids and grandkids. He instilled in his family an appreciation for agriculture, honesty, integrity and the importance of always finding time to serve others and give generously. 

Craig loved life, living it to the fullest. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, golfing, camping, country music, Camaro car drives and sunrises in the combine. He worked hard but knew the value of spending quality time with his family and friends. He will be remembered fondly for his contagious smile and laughter, sense of humor and genuine personality. Nothing brought him greater joy than being on the farm with his wife and having his kids and grandkids come home.

Besides his immediate family, he is survived by his parents, Wendell and Cleo Mensink; siblings, Brenda (Dean) Tollefson, Dave (Tracie) Mensink, Cindy (Ron) Mensink and Will (Patty) Mensink; and many nieces and nephews. 

Craig was preceded in death by his brother, Rich Mensink.