Debra Lynn (Balok) Craft

Debra Lynn Balok Craft, 66 years old, of Estero, Florida, formerly of Annandale, Minnesota, died October 7, 2024.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 18, 2024, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Annandale with visitation one hour prior to services. Pastor Todd Nelsen will officiate. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery, Annandale.

Debra was born August 9, 1958, to parents William and Dorothy (Lansdale) Balok in South Bend, Indiana. She was baptized at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, where her parents and grandparents were members, and confirmed at St. James Cathedral. She graduated from LaSalle High School, South Bend, and Ball State University studying Home Economics Education and Business. She met the love of her life, David C. Craft, at Ball State and they married in 1981 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. They lived throughout the Midwest before settling in Mt. Zion, Illinois, for twelve years. Careers took them to Annandale, Minnesota, for the next twenty-five years where they loved country lake life. After retirement, David and Debra were excited to enjoy the warmth of Estero, Florida.

Life-long learning and education was important to Debbie. She completed her master's degree from St. Cloud State University, Minnesota. She worked her entire career in schools and taught for school districts in Monticello, Maple Lake, and St. Michael-Albertville in Minnesota.

She enjoyed cooking, sewing, genealogy, crafting, new technology, and the beach. However, most of all she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandsons. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Annandale, Minnesota. She volunteered for the Girl Scouts, Camp Counselor, Boy Scouts, school PTA, and the public library.

Preceded in death by her father, William E. Balok, and special aunt, Shirley J. Thomas. Left to cherish her memory are her mother, Dorothy Balok, Mishawaka, Indiana; her husband of 43 years, David C. Craft, Estero, Florida; a son, Christopher of Missoula, Montana; a daughter, Laura (Adam) Berg of Zimmerman, Minnesota; two special grandsons, Everett and Beckett Berg; and three sisters, Diane Balok, South Bend, Indiana, Donna Weiler, Fortville, Indiana, and Terri (Joe) Szalay, South Bend, Indiana. She had many special, life-long friends.

Memorial contributions are preferred to: Boy Scout Troop #354 220 Myrtle Drive South Annandale, MN or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929.

Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute and Service Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.

10/15/2024 EJS