J. Craig Seely

Craig Seely, 77, of Baltic died Sunday, September 2, 2007 at Sanford Health. Committal Service will be at 9:00 am Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at the Pioneer Cemetery, Baltic. Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 am Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at Hilltop United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm Tuesday with the family present from 6-8:00 pm with a Prayer Service at 8:00 pm at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Baltic. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the SDSU Foundation.


J. Craig Seely was born November 22, 1929 at Algona, Iowa, the only son of Hazel (Burtis) and Howard Brown Seely. Craig attended Plum Creek Grade School, Burt, Iowa and graduated from Algona High School in 1947. He attended Iowa State College and South Dakota State University, graduating in 1952 with a BS in Animal Science. Craig married Ann Erickson of Canova on December 23, 1951 at the Presbyterian Church in rural Winfred, South Dakota.


Craig enlisted in the US Army Meat Corps in 1953 and served until 1955. He started his employment in Vinton, Iowa as a County Agent and in 1956 joined John Morrell & Co. in the Ag service, later moving to lamb grading and beef procurement. He was later employed as a cattle buyer by Greenlee, Wilson, Rosen Meats and Tuntland order buyers. He established Seely Livestock Co. in 1970 and worked as a self employed order buyer until his retirement in 2007. After his retirement he worked at Wal-Mart.


Craig was an active member of the Hilltop United Methodist Church where he held many administrative board offices and enjoyed his pork barbeque grilling and XYZ activities. Craig's other activities included the Baltic American Legion, Farm Bureau, 4-H leader, Sioux Empire Farm Show Superintendent, Sioux Empire and South Dakota State Fair Sheep Superintendent. Craig was associated with the Sioux Falls Stockyards for 50 years and held many offices. He was a member of the Shorthorm Cattle Association and several State and National sheep associations.

Craig’s greatest loves were his family, friends, sports, church, and gardening, showing livestock and supporting the SDSU Jacks. He especially enjoyed following his sons, grandchildren and other youths in their activities.

Craig is survived by his wife Ann, Baltic; sons and their wives, Scott & Val Seely, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Brad & Patti Seely, Wrentham, Massachusetts; grandchildren, Sarah, Jo, Brett, Hannah, and Brynn Seely; brother in law, Richard (Patricia) Erickson, Rapid City; sister in law, Mildred (Maynard) Pearson, Madison; several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Craig was preceded in death by his parents.