Craig Brandenburg

Craig Brandenburg, 69, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at his residence in Watertown.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, SD. We will depart from Mundwiler Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. for burial at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery near Revillo, SD. The family encourages guests to dress casual.

Craig Neil Brandenburg was born on December 17, 1955, in Clear Lake, SD, to Gene and Nina (Strege) Brandenburg. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Craig spent his first year of school at a country school near Revillo before graduating with the Grant-Deuel High School Class of 1974. A gifted athlete, he played football throughout high school and was honored as an All-American.

Craig went on to attend South Dakota State University, where he proudly earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in history.

His professional career began in St. Louis, MO, where he worked with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). During that time, he also attended the Air Force War College in Northern Virginia, gaining valuable knowledge and leadership skills that helped him advance into higher-level management with NGA. In the late 1980s, Craig moved to Valmeyer, IL, where he purchased a farm and continued his career with the Department of Defense, earning multiple awards for his dedicated service. He retired in 2011 and, in 2025, returned home to South Dakota.

Craig had a lifelong love of motorcycles, especially riding his Harley in his younger years. His farm became a place of joy and pride, where he enjoyed gardening, planting fruit trees, and spending time outdoors. A devoted fan of SDSU Jackrabbit football and the Minnesota Vikings, Craig also found pleasure in woodworking, particularly crafting birdhouses by hand. In retirement, he discovered a passion for fostering dogs.

Craig will be remembered for his quick wit, storytelling that kept everyone laughing, and his warm, unforgettable smile.

He is survived by his son, John (Dayna) Brandenburg of Puyallup, WA; grandchildren: Airyana and Stryker; sister, Gena Keller of Hot Springs, SD; nephew, Luke Keller; and special family friends: Ian Gunn and Kyle Andres.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents, Gene and Nina Brandenburg, and his brother, Terry.