Hartland—Surrounded by the love of family and supported by the power of prayer, Todd Christopher Craft entered eternal comfort and peace on Wednesday, July 11, 2018.
On September 25, 1966, Todd was born to parents Wendel D. and Patricia A. (Hoener) Craft in Quincy, IL. Todd was the youngest of four, close, lively boys: Jeff (Kim) Craft, Tim (Kimberly) Craft, and Tom (Cheryl) Craft. In high school, Todd earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and was instilled with the principles of trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness, friendliness, courtesy, kindness, obedience, cheerfulness, thriftiness, braveness, cleanliness, and reverence – values that he lived by his entire life.
After studying accounting at Quincy College and working in tax preparation, Todd started his successful professional career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) at Clifton Gunderson in Peoria, IL in 1994. By June 2000, Todd became a Partner at the firm and in 2006 was named the Firm-wide Director of Tax, relocating his family to the Milwaukee area. Shortly after, Todd was elevated to the position of Chief Business Officer. In his final years with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), Todd returned to tax preparation and led by example as the Managing Principal of CLA’s Southeastern Wisconsin practice. Todd’s additional professional accomplishments included several awards and recognitions, completion of the The Rainmaker Academy and the Tuck Executive Program at Dartmouth College, serving as the Vice Chair of the Wisconsin Accounting Examining Board, and membership in The Executive Committee (TEC) Group – where he was recognized as the 2016 “Inspirational Leader of the Year.”
Putting others before himself, Todd also enjoyed giving back through volunteer opportunities. In 2011, Todd and his oldest son traveled to Guatemala on a mission trip, where they helped build furniture for students, maintain buildings, and played soccer with local children. Additionally, Todd coached several youth sports teams, served on the neighborhood Home-Owners Association, lectured at local university business schools, mentored young professionals, and contributed to many charities and services.
Todd was also an avid sports fan, and looked forward to attending games with family and cheering on the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and Marquette University Basketball.
Most important to Todd was being a husband, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle and making special memories with all his friends and family. While working in Peoria, Todd married the love of his life, Aimee (Guimond) Craft. Through his faith, educational lessons, and physical activities, Todd created a unique and loving relationship with each of his four children. He appreciated traveling as a family, with many trips including activities that Todd loved: golfing, hiking, boating, biking, and sunrise beach walks with his daughters. In a final letter to his children Todd said: “We can cherish that over the years, we laughed, we cried, we experienced and we loved. We are family; a family that I have great pride in!”
Todd is survived by his wife of 27 years; sons, Nathan (Chrystal Mattappillil) and Nicholas; daughters, Lauren (Tyler Lance) and Jordyn; his father; three brothers; brother-in-law, Todd Guimond; sisters-in-law, Ronda (Scott McLaren) Guimond, Jodi (Steve) Ledeboer, and Casey (Matt) Ogden; nieces, Amanda (Charlie) Zimmerman, Jessica (Garrett) McSorley, Abby Craft, Emily and Madison Guimond, Grace Ledeboer, and Madelyn and Kaitlyn Ogden; nephews, Shane (Stacy) Craft, Justin (Paige) Craft, Cole and Jacob (Jessica Couples) Craft, Jack Ledeboer; and many other relatives and close friends. He was preceded in death by his mother; aunt, Sister Kathy Hoener; father-in-law, Roger Guimond; and mother-in-law, Brenda Powell.
Visitation will be held on Friday at Krause Funeral Home in Brookfield from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at St. Charles in Hartland at 10:00 a.m. Father Ken Omernick will officiate.
The family would like to offer special thanks to Todd’s medical team at Froedtert Hospital. Memorial donations may be made to Nicholas’s Edvest College Savings Plan (Please make donations payable to the family), St. Charles’s The Cornerstone Project, or to the Sarcoma Foundation of America, Inc. The Krause Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.