Craig Haberman

Craig Alan Haberman was born on January 19, 1956, to Dwight and Barbara (Essman) Haberman in Morristown, New Jersey. Much of his childhood was spent in Minnesota, where he developed a lifelong love for the North Woods, lakes, and outdoors. He worked as a paperboy in Cook, MN and later as a dockboy at Handberg’s on Crane Lake, learned to ski at Lookout Mountain, and cherished memories of a special winter spent with family in Denver, Colorado.

Craig graduated from Park High School in Cottage Grove, Minnesota before studying Math and Physics at Bemidji State University, where he graduated in 1978. On July 15 of that same year, he married Sharon Wittman in Radium, Minnesota. Together they raised two sons, Kirk and Christopher, who remained the pride and joy of his life.

After college, Craig taught math and coached basketball in Littlefork, Minnesota before beginning a career as a software engineer with Honeywell in the Twin Cities. Yet he increasingly felt called toward pastoral ministry and eventually attended United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, serving as a student pastor in Union City during his studies.

In 1984, Craig returned to Minnesota to begin full-time ministry, serving churches in Verndale, Crane Lake & Kabetogama, Moorhead, Tracy, Alexandria, Ely, and Magnolia over more than four decades of pastoral work. His years in Orr held particular significance, as they brought him back to the lakes and pines of northern Minnesota, where his father had once ministered and where Craig himself had spent part of his childhood. Whether in small towns or larger congregations, Craig approached ministry not as something confined to an office, but as a vocation lived among people — in homes, diners, hospitals, school events, and everyday conversations.

On Sunday, May 3, 2026, Craig died in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 70 years, 3 months, and 15 days. The path from cancer diagnosis in March to death on May 3rd was swift. The outpouring from every church he served has been overwhelming, demonstrating the remarkable depth and reach of his ministry. People were drawn to Craig’s warmth, humor, curiosity, and genuine interest in others. He had a gift for making people feel noticed and welcome. Yet Craig managed to be an incredible father to Kirk and Christopher, never missing an event. He coached their little league baseball teams, loved their Friday night football games, and was always up for a pickup basketball game in the Haberman driveway. He went on to being an amazing grandfather as well, traveling thousands of miles every year to devote that same time & affection to his grandchildren.

Since moving to Sioux Falls in 2024, Craig maintained a full life. As part of his local ministry, he dined weekly at the Magnolia Café with an open invite to all, enjoying the food and conversation. He enjoyed attending school events, and especially community and school theater. He had a membership with the Washington Pavilion and a subscription to the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. He treasured his periodic visits to Ring Lake Ranch retreat center in Wyoming.

Craig had a wide range of talents & interests, and was not one to sit still for long. Craig loved skiing, bird watching, family history, travel, hiking, canoeing, watching Minnesota sporting events with family, reading, weekly Bagel Boy dates with his granddaughter Jordan, and more than anything, just spending time with family. Northern Minnesota was the geographical center of gravity of his life: Church Camp with Methodist youth at Star Lake Camp, the Haberman Family Cabin on Sand Point Lake, countless canoe trips in the Boundary Waters, a childhood in Cook, MN, raising his sons in Orr, MN, and Pastoring Ely UMC all allowed him to spend time among the lakes and pines that made his heart sing. He will be remembered for his self-deprecating outbursts like, “Oh for goodness sake!”, and “Why do I even get up in the morning!?” He endlessly amused his family by showing up for flights four hours before takeoff, driving religiously under the speed limit, vigorously rubbing his arm when stressed, dictating text messages (“new paragraph”), and audibly groaning in discomfort during awkward movie scenes. As the evening wore on, he would remind all that he turned into a pumpkin after 8pm. He was known for sharing his Remarkable tablet with his granddaughter, and trolling/rage-bating grandkids.

Craig is survived by his two sons, Kirk (Kimberly) Haberman of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and Christopher (Margaret) Haberman of Sioux Falls; six grandchildren, Bryden, Simon, Jordan, George, Isaac, and Daphne; and siblings, Mark (Dave Jacobson) Haberman of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, John (Brenda) Haberman of Golden Valley, Minnesota, and Michael (Kitt) Haberman of Jeffersonville, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dwight and Barbara Haberman; grandparents, Ralph and Emily Haberman, Virginia Adams, and John Essman; aunt, Joyce Haberman; and uncle, Gene (Margaret) Thompson.

If you feel moved, donations may be made to Grant’s Giants, the North American Bear Center, or another organization of your choosing in Craig’s memory.

Grant's Giants or North America Bear Center