Craig James Ernzen, 39 of Appleton, WI passed on January 15, 2026 after an extensive battle with brain cancer.

Craig was born March 17, 1986 in Elk Grove, IL to Don Ernzen of Darlington, WI and Brenda Rolwes of Epworth, IA.

Craig grew up in Dubuque, IA and was a multi-sport athlete, playing baseball for the Dubuque Reds, but was best remembered for playing football and baseball in high school. He graduated from Hempstead High School in 2004. He went on to play baseball for one year at NIACC (North Iowa Area Community College). He eventually transferred to UNI (University of Northern Iowa), where he graduated in 2008 with a degree in Exercise Science.

Craig met his future wife Michelle Gray in 2011 at a Brewer/Cub baseball game. They began dating in 2012 and by 2013, Craig had relocated to Appleton, WI. Craig and Michelle were married on October 25, 2014. Craig gained a stepdaughter, Raigan (Klotz) and they had a son, Beckham in 2015.

Craig worked for a short while in the athletic training profession, before finding his niche in the healthcare software world. He was employed by McKesson (Dubuque, IA) from 2010-2017. He joined the consulting team at Quest Analytics, LLC in 2019 and was employed until 2025.

Outside of being a husband and a father, Craig’s passion was coaching baseball. He volunteered for four summers as a coach for Grand Chute Baseball. He touched the lives of many athletes and families across both league and tournament teams. Craig’s calm presence and knowledge of the game will be greatly missed. In addition to coaching, Craig loved to watch sports, play golf, country music, a good bonfire, and old fashioneds.

Craig was a selfless man who would help anyone he could. His final act of service was the donation of his brain, to aid in medical research towards brain cancer.

Craig is survived by his wife Michelle, stepdaughter Raigan and son Beckham. He also is survived by his parents; Don (Deb) Ernzen, Brenda (Gary) Rolwes, brother Kevin (Elaine) Ernzen of Munster IN, a special cousin who was like a brother Patrick (Lindsay) Kramer of San Diego, CA, step siblings; Lindsay (Myles) Turner of McHenry, IL, Ryan (Lindsay) Rolwes of Urbandale, IA, Alexandra (Chris) Donnelly of Overland Park, KS, and Erin (Alejandro) Castro of Onalaska, WI, father- and mother-in-law Wayne and Brenda Gray of Oshkosh, WI, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; James Kramer, Velma Herrig, Bernard and Margaret Ernzen.

A memorial service for Craig will be held at 7PM, on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St., Appleton. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed via his obituary page at www.wichmannfuneralhomes.com. Visitation will be on Friday at the funeral home from 4PM until the time of the service. Inurnment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Appleton.

A celebration of life will be held from 3PM to 8PM, on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at The Hillside at Plamann Park, 1375 East Broadway Dr., Appleton.

A celebration of life will also be held in Dubuque at a later date.

The family would like to thank Dr. Jennifer Connelly and the medical team at Froedtert Hospital, Quest Analytics LLC, West De Pere School District, Menasha Joint School District, Oshkosh Area School District, the staff at Brewster Village, and the special team from Moments Hospice (Faedra, Emily, Tanya). Thank you for the support and comfort over the last five years.