Craig John Wiskus

Craig John Wiskus, the son of Charles and Cleo (Dirkx) Wiskus, was born October 28, 1960, at St. Anthony’s Regional Hospital in Carroll. Iowa and died December 24, 2019, at his home in rural Exira at the age of 59 years, 1 month, and 26 days.
Craig was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham, Iowa. He attended Kindergarten in Gray, then St. Joseph Parochial School in Dedham, finally graduating from the Exira High School with the class of 1980. Craig studied diesel mechanics at the Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa. He worked for various area implement dealers over the years. During this time, Craig ran his own moonlighting business called Wiskey’s Repair. He was also employed at Pella Corp. in Carroll and by Audubon County as the Mechanic/Shop Foreman for a number of years. In 2010, he turned his moonlighting business into a fulltime career. Craig operated the business until he was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and had to retire.
On June 30, 2007, he married Leanne Tessman at his home in Exira, Iowa. They blended their children together and became a family.
Craig was affiliated with the Ross Calvary United Methodist Church in Ross, Iowa. Craig’s hobby was working. Especially on International combines and tractors. He enjoyed riding his Harley and could often be found 'going around the block'. Craig and Leanne took many trips over the years. He loved to drive, seeing the sights along the way, and making sure to stop at every Harley dealership possible. They were able to take several nice trips this past year, including going to Alaska and Niagara Falls. He also enjoyed the family camping trips, preferably in a nice camper. But above all, Craig enjoyed being with his family, especially playing with and teasing the grandchildren.
Preceding him in death was a son Matthew Sunberg; his father Charles Wiskus; his brother Christopher Wiskus; his grandparents John and Regina Wiskus and Raymond and Frances Dirkx; and his niece Danika James.
Survivors include his wife Leanne Wiskus of Exira, Iowa; his children Nathan Wiskus and his daughters Kendall and Ellie of Bellevue, Nebraska, Cody and wife LiHua Wiskus of Audubon, Iowa, Adam and wife Kasandra Wiskus and their daughter Danika of Moville, Iowa, Amanda and husband Chris Young and their children Shayle, Brooklynn, Matty, and Hailey of Exira, Iowa; Melissa and husband Kyle Tena and their son Garrett of Grimes, Iowa; his mother Cleo Wiskus of Exira, Iowa; his sisters Carla and husband David James of Glidden, Iowa, Crista Wiskus of Atlantic, Iowa, Cynthia and husband Mike Cleaver of Waukee, Iowa, and Carrie and husband Jeremy Tate of Beatrice, Nebraska; his Mother-in-law and father-in-law Duane and Cleone Tessman of Audubon, Iowa; his brother-in-law Dave and wife Darcy Tessman of Audubon, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends Friday evening, December 27, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steve Daiker on Saturday morning December 28, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at the Ross Calvary United Methodist Church in Ross, Iowa. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon, Iowa. The honorary casket bearers will be Jeremy Tate, David James, Mike Cleaver, Dave Tessman, Jerry Riesgaard, Dan Mannel, and Kyle Kitelinger. The casket bearers will be Kyle Barnett, Christopher James, Matthew Yockey, Dereck Tessman, Bryce Tessman, and Tyler Tessman.