Craighton "Craig" Jeffrey Moilanen

Craighton "Craig" Jeffrey Moilanen, 36, died Thursday, Oct. 8, in Houston, Texas after a long battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, at 10:00 am at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Bismarck. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at Parkway Funeral Service in Bismarck and will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Craig was born March 13, 1979, in Bismarck, North Dakota, to Jeff and Nancy (Brazzell) Moilanen. He graduated from Bismarck High School and received a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Mary. In 1996, he met Amy Sailer, his best friend and soulmate, and they were married on May 18, 2001, in Bismarck, North Dakota. They are blessed with two beautiful children. During the fall of 2001, Craig and Amy moved to Denver, Colorado, where he developed more life-long friendships from the different jobs he worked and sports he enjoyed playing. After many years of dedication to pursuing his dream, he finally became the paramedic/firefighter he felt the Lord had called him to be. Throughout his life, Craig enjoyed being artistic, snowboarding, playing hockey, family football games, listening to music, being creative in designing his own things, hunting, fishing, biking, camping, playing games (especially Monopoly Deal), hanging out with family and friends, starring in and writing homemade videos, playing pranks on others and dressing up in costumes. Craig was a member of the Intercessors of the Trinity healing prayer team and attended St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Littleton, Colorado where he also participated in the TMIY (That Man Is You) men's group. He was also a member of the IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) Local 2203 – North Metro Professional Fire Fighters. Craig is survived by his wife, Amy; their children, Gabriella (5) and Brendan (3), Littleton, CO; his parents, Jeff and Nancy, Bismarck; his two sisters and brother-in-laws, Rachael and Lance Wiegel, Bismarck, and Laura and Jon Hilts, Evanston, IL; his brother and future sister-in-law, Steve Moilanen and Natalie Eslinger, Coleharbor; his grandmother, Patty Moilanen, Bismarck; Amy's parents, Leon and Kathy Sailer, Frisco, TX; Amy's brother and sister-in-law, Chad and Karen Sailer and their two sons, Carter and Riley, Bloomington, IL; along with a very large extended family and close friends whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, George Moilanen; and his maternal grandmother and grandfather, Clarence and Norma (Peterson) Brazzell. - See more at: http://www.eastgatefuneral.com/obituary/Craighton-Craig-Jeffrey-Moilanen/Houston-TX/1552977#sthash.d5c2vvPw.dpuf