Donald Craig Bucher left us on Friday, August 26th, at the age of 85.

He was born June 2nd, 1937 in St Paul Minnesota to Alfred E. and Bernice Bucher.

He graduated from Concordia Academy in 1954 and served in the Army overseas four years in the Army Intelligence Agency. He graduated from McAllister College in 1962 with a degree in literature with teaching certification.

He married the love of his life Sharon (Aaberg) on September 4th, 1960 in Starbuck, MN. They shared 62 years of togetherness.

Craig taught at Glenwood High School in Western MN., until 1967, then taught speech, debate and advanced literature at Henry Sibley High School in the Twin Cities, until 1982. In 1975 Craig coached the debate team to a National Championship. The first and only time in Sibley School history. The trophy still stands in the main entrance to the school to this day. Later in 1982, he coached the Varsity Softball Team to a state championship.

In 1982 Craig and Sharon embarked on a new chapter in life by purchasing the Banner Journal in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. As publisher, Craig started a column titled “For what it’s Worth”, which he wrote for 40 years. A column read in many states and overseas.

In 1989, Craig and Sharon purchased the Cumberland Advocate and relocated to Cumberland. Cumberland became the city Craig and Sharon truly settled into. Craig became active in church, theater, writing, and his ever present favorite, baseball.

Craig loved baseball. In all its forms, from Little League, to softball, to the majors. He enjoyed seeing players and teams develop over seasons. He liked the sense of community and camaraderie it brought to a small town. Craig almost never missed a game his of grandson Isaac’s team. He watched and discussed baseball until the day he passed.

Craig enjoyed writing for The Advocate and believed a newspaper to be a vital source of information, discussion and accountability for a local community. He was always so very proud of all that Cumberland is as a small town. The Advocate was sold to Paul Bucher in 2008.

Craig and Sharon retired to travel and enjoy life together. They traveled throughout the US and overseas. He continued to write his column often quoting his favorite author Mark Twain. He wrote of national, state and local issues, always hoping to inform and start civil discourse with his readers. He often mentioned Cumberland as his favorite place.

Craig enjoyed theater, he and Sharon visited Spring Green Wisconsin for outdoor Shakespeare, dinner theater in the Twin Cities and Arizona. Les Miserables being his favorite musical production of all time followed closely by the iconic Hamlet. He was thrilled being part of the Cumberland Players Theater group in both acting in and directing productions. He also enjoyed the Red Barn Theater in Rice Lake.

In his later years he continued his voracious reading habits of at least two new newspapers a day while watching news programs and always had a book he was reading. Saying age is no excuse for not being engaged in current events, Craig did participate in his final act of civic responsibility by voting in the Wisconsin primaries on August 9th.

Craig is preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Bernice Bucher.

He is survived by his wife Sharon. Sister Sylvia (Wallace) Nordquist; Sons Mark and Paul (Sarah) Bucher; Daughter Heather (George) Bucher-Remington; Grandsons Colin, Isaac, Nicholas, and Christopher; Sisters-in-Law Judy Moe, and Kathy (Gary) Engler. Nieces and nephews Kathy, Johnathan, Marsha, Karen, Zac, Charlie, Heidi, Molly and Buddy the wonder cat.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 16th at 11:00 am at Augustana Lutheran Church with Military Honors to follow.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 15th from 4pm - 7pm at Skinner Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service.

Burial will be at a later date.

Skinner Funeral Home of Cumberland is serving the family.

Last Update: Sep 08, 2022 6:45 am CDT