Craig Bratvold

Craig Allen Bratvold, OD, was born December 5, 1957 in Detroit Lakes, MN to Claude and LaVonne Bratvold.  He died peacefully in his sleep at home in Detroit Lakes on Wednesday May 8, 2024. 

Craig is survived by his wife, Teresa Erickson and her three sons: Eric Stanley (Kate), St Paul, MN, Matthew Stanley (Roxanne), Detroit Lakes, MN and Brian Stanley (Molly), West Fargo, ND; his sister, Linda Quistad-Berg (Steven), Underwood, MN and his brother, Larry Bratvold (Kathy), Springfield, MO; In-laws: Bob and Sherry Erickson, Jeff (Penny) Erickson, Kelly (Scott) Ross and nieces & nephews. 

Craig was not quite 6 years old when his family moved from Detroit Lakes to St. Paul, but his memories of his early childhood experiences and friendships in Detroit Lakes were vivid, accurate, and brought him great joy in their remembrance.  Although Craig lived most of his life in places other than Detroit Lakes, his heart longed for the city of his birth where his early childhood memories were made.

Returning to Detroit Lakes to marry Teresa, the love of his life, and to practice his profession in his hometown was, for Craig, a dream come true. Craig found in Teresa not merely a mate. Craig found a real soulmate with whom he could enjoy life feeling the fulfillment one can only feel when you have found “the one.” Together, Craig and Teresa enjoyed traveling, photography, visiting friends and family and music concerts. It was on their trip to Hawaii (the Big Island), that Craig proposed to Teresa. Craig and Teresa attended many music concerts.  Craig even surprised Teresa with tickets to the Blake Shelton and Garth Brooks concerts even though he wasn’t a country music fan.

Craig had a number of lifelong friends that were just like family to him. They all can’t be listed here, but some must be mentioned. Craig got to know Tom Lunzer (Shelly) at White Bear Lake High School in White Bear Lake, MN.  Whenever Craig got close to the Twin Cities he thought of fitting in a visit with Tom and Shelly.  Craig worked his way through college alongside Kevin Huwe as part of a crew moving houses and other structures. Kevin and his wife, Eve, became close friends during that season of his life.   Kevin has said that Craig is the most selfless person that he has ever known and that Craig made the world a better place. Another member of the house moving crew, Ward Glasoe (Jan) also became one of these very special friends. About this same time Kim Knutson (LaVonne) was photographing a wedding in Minot and Craig noticed Kim’s excellent equipment.  Craig introduced himself to express interest. It quickly became clear that their shared interests went beyond cameras and included guitars.  It was the beginning of another ongoing friendship. All these friends remained committed lifelong friends, who treated Craig with great love and respect and with whom Craig enjoyed Christian fellowship and great comradery. Craig loved people and became their loyal friend. People loved Craig and returned his friendship with great loyalty and brotherly affection.

Craig got his education in the public schools of St. Paul, MN, Park Rapids, MN, Tama, IA, White Bear Lake, MN and Minot, ND. After graduating from Minot High School, Craig attended photography college in Santa Barbara, CA, but in due course he returned to Minot and enrolled at Minot State University. Craig completed his bachelors degree from Minot State and then went on and earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. He used his OD degree to practice optometry in Devils Lake, ND and later in Detroit Lakes, MN.  Sadly, he became legally blind but he rose above the misfortune and pursued more training to learn about visual impairment in the field of optometry and how to use computers when visually impaired. This additional training led to a secondary career helping other visually impaired people navigate the digital world.  

Craig loved guitars, photography, pizza, Coca-Cola, and chocolate. He didn’t love vegetables. He knew how to raise your house on jacks and haul it away. He could professionally photograph your wedding. He knew how to find your optical prescription and fit you with a pair of glasses. He would help you use your computer even if you couldn’t see the screen. He could fix almost anything and when he couldn’t fix it he would research it and learn how to fix it. When in conversation, he would listen carefully to your ideas and then respond with his thoughtful perspectives. And, when the time was right, he would bring a humorous twist to that perspective. We’ll miss you, Craig.  

Urn made by the loving hands of his brother-in-law, Steve Berg.

Donations to: Friends of White Horse Hill PO Box 705 ~ Devils Lake, ND 58301

White Horse Hill National Game Preserve was a special place Craig would go, to find peace, enjoy nature, take photographs and reflect on life. It was the first place Craig took Teresa when she came to visit when they were dating.