Craig E. Patterson

Craig E. Patterson, 68, of Green Bay, WI, passed away on March 9 after a 7-year long journey with ALS. 

Craig was born on November 21, 1957 to the late Leland and Emerine “Renee” (Melotte) Patterson. He grew up on the far West side of Green Bay and spent his childhood exploring the woods and fields near his house with his twin brother Kevin. His childhood claim to fame was the “business” he started – collecting and reselling the golf balls he found at Brown County Golf Course. He graduated from Green Bay Southwest High School in 1975.

On May 17, 2002 Craig married Teri (Clough) Bero. Together, they enjoyed many years of their shared hobbies: tennis, volleyball, ATVing in the north woods, spending time with their children and grandchildren, and taking memorable trips to Jamaica and Arizona. 

Anyone who knew Craig knew he was extremely hard-working – he didn’t shy away from early mornings, long days, or heavy lifting, which served him well in his career in the distributing industry. But his real skill? His ability to make friends at every stop along the way, even keeping in contact with a group from his early days at Copps Warehouse Food Market. 

An avid hunter and fisherman, he spent countless hours in the woods and on lakes around Mountain and near his cabin in Pembine. He (very proudly) didn’t miss an opening day of gun season for over 50 years. 

His cabin in Pembine was his happy place. You could find him sitting (or probably, working) in the garage, listening to the Brewers, and drinking a Michelob Ultra or spending time with his brother Lee and nephews Todd and Tony. Or, maybe, as we’d like to imagine him now, reading a Western once the sun went down. 

Throughout his adult life, he didn’t meet a rec league sport he didn’t like. Over the years, Craig was in bowling, softball, and volleyball leagues, plus his beloved Wednesday night Twin Oaks golf league with friend Arnie. Though his reputation may have been as the uber competitive guy who didn’t give any less than 100%, the countless lifelong friends he made are what everyone will remember. 

Craig will be missed in so many ways: for his advice (especially on the hobbies he loved), his willingness to help anyone and everyone who needed it, his 100%-or-nothing approach to life, his generosity with time and teaching, his fighting spirit, and as no surprise, his ability to make and nurture friendships through every phase of his life. 

Craig is survived by wife Teri, daughter Rachel (Cory) Ott, stepchildren Keri (Matt) Fezatte, Trisha (Adam) Schense, Zak (Stephanie) Bero, Kayla (Emily) Bero, grandchildren Kesson and Liara Fezatte, Gabrielle, Hazel, and Isabelle Schense, Zoey, Elowyn, and Malak Bero, Revan Bero, and countless other relatives and friends. 

Craig was preceded in death by his parents Lee and Renee Patterson, and brothers Lee, Gary, and twin Kevin.

A special thank you is extended to the ALS Association (especially Alyson and Angie) for the support over the last 6 years. It was Craig’s honor to advocate for the ALS Association even as he was on his own journey. He spoke to Congress, was a regular at meetings, and became a resource for others who were diagnosed. And (for the last time) he was immensely grateful the countless friends he made and lost. 

The family would also like to thank the team at Moments Hospice for their kindness and compassion in Craig’s final days.

Services will be held at 7:00 pm Monday, March 16, 2026 at the Lyndahl Funeral Home. The family will greet relatives and friends on Monday at the funeral home from 4:00 pm until the time of the services at 7:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to contribute to the ALS Association in Craig’s honor at: https://secure.alsnetwork.org/site/TR?px=1251797&fr_id=1130&pg=personal

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