Craig Alan Aldag

Craig Alan Aldag, 68, passed away December 25, 2024 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston, TX. Craig was born February 5, 1956 to Karl and Lorene (Readinger) Aldag in Atlantic, IA. He graduated from Atlantic High School where he played football, basketball and golf. From there he went to Iowa State University graduating in 1978.

Craig began a 30-year career with Ryder Transportation where he said he met some of the most important people in his life, and many he was blessed to call his friends. Craig’s work required him to relocate many times throughout the years. While working in Des Moines in 1990, he met Jodi. They married and moved to Chicago and welcomed their first baby, Lukas Mitchell in April 2002. Luke underwent three open heart surgeries as a newborn and infant. Second baby Nikolas Christian arrived in July 2004 making their family of four complete!

While Craig continued his career with Ryder overseeing many facilities throughout several states, he enjoyed spending his time at home with his boys either watching sports or playing with them. His two favorite teams were the Iowa State Cyclones and the Green Bay Packers. He also enjoyed organizing neighborhood activities, golfing, and golf tournaments with the neighbors and his boys.

Luke and Nick attended Des Moines Christian throughout their school years and Craig was the announcer for the high school football and basketball games.

After Craig ended his career with Ryder, he began a new adventure traveling and working with his brother-in-law building state of the art movie theaters. He also worked with his niece and her husband at their family owned business.

Craig was driving home from Chicago on a Friday night in April of 2021 when he had the beginning of his health issues. He was diagnosed with an aortic dissection. In May of 2022, he was urged to have an aortic dissection repair performed in Houston, TX. Renowned surgeon Dr. Joseph Coselli successfully operated and Craig went home to recover, but with many setbacks for the next two years. In October 2024, Craig went for another repair which seemed to be a success, but after several setbacks and some amazing strides forward, Craig passed away on Christmas Day 2024. Craig never considered giving up. He fought with everything he had to come home to his family as his biggest accomplishment was raising two incredible young men - his boys brought him such joy. He went home pain free to be with Jesus, and as devastating as it is for us, Craig loved knowing this was Jesus’ birthday. We take comfort and peace in knowing he is no longer struggling or suffering.

The family would especially like to thank all of Craig’s physicians and their staff in the Des Moines area and all the surgeons, doctors and staff at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston, TX for the incredible job they did in preserving Craig’s life and health as long as they did. We also appreciate the amazing support they gave to our family, and especially to Jodi during this challenging time.

Craig is also survived by his mother, Lorene Aldag; his sister, Jodi (Randy) Christoffersen; his sisters-in-law, Julie Lewis and Randi Stanton; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Karl Aldag; and his sister, Jackie Sievers.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 7, 2025 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA and the funeral service on Wednesday, January 8 at 11:00 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines, IA. The service will be livestreamed click here. Craig will be cremated following the service.

Print