Craig J. Wellnitz

Craig J. Wellnitz, 49, of Junction City, died at his home Feb. 22, 2016. Craig was born July 30, 1966 in Mora, Minnesota, the son of Robert O. & Evelyn L. (Juenemann) Wellnitz. Craig attended school in Sandstone, Minnesota and graduated from East Central High School in 1985. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was currently a member of the Kansas Army National Guard, assigned to the 108th Aviation Battalion. He was a federal civil service employee working on Ft. Riley with the Advanced Turbine Engine Army Maintenance (ATEAM). Craig was a member of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Kroschel, Minnesota. Craig was very active with the Topeka Adult Hockey League.

Craig married Aarika Schafer on June 19, 2006 in Junction City. Aarika survives of the home. Other survivors include: a son, David Damm, of the home; a brother, Robert Wellnitz and his wife Brenda; 3 sisters, Sandra Olson and her husband Ken, Betty Volk and her husband Gary, and Judy Coveau and her husband Denny, all of Sandstone, Minnesota. Craig was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother Scott Wellnitz.

The family will greet friends on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., with a Eulogy Service at 7:00 p.m., at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Chapel, 203 N. Washington, Junction City, Kansas. Cremation will follow the visitation, and a Memorial Service will be held at a later date at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Kroschel, Minnesota. Inurnment will be in Friesland Cemetery in Sandstone, MN.

Memorial contributions may be given to the David Damm Educational Fund, sent in care of Astra Bank, 1130 N. Marshall, Chapman, KS, 67431.
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