Gustave Craig Buma was born September 11, 1958, to Pete and Althea (Molenaar) Buma, in Bellingham, Washington.  He was the eldest of their 3 children.

Craig grew up on a dairy farm in Sumas, WA near the cascade mountians.  He attended Sumas Christian School and was a 1976 graduate of Lynden Christian High School.

On February 24, 1990, he was united in marriage to Christy De Cook, in Lynden, Washington. To this union they were blessed with three children: Cassandra, Michael, and Jordan.  They moved to Pella, Iowa in 2007.

Craig was a man of many talents and had an infectious laugh.  He treasured time with family, especially his grandson Daniel.  His kids have many memories of adventures and laughs with their spontaneous dad.  He treasured his wife and enjoyed finding new experiences to try with her throughout their marriage of 35 years.  Above all, he loved Jesus and desired to be a "good and faithful servant;" he was a life-long learner of the Bible.  Craig truly had a servant heart and was happy to help anyone in need, with anything, at any time.  He never knew a stranger.  He had a reason for everything, whether it was an important decision or what his favorite dessert was.  Practical jokes were a favorite pastime and he enjoyed a friendly debate over anything.  He lived life to the fullest and was present in every moment.  He had endless energy and was always busy with something, which led to many hobbies.  Craig enjoyed spending time outdoors; hiking, hunting, bicycling, camping, and snow skiing. Other hobbies included woodworking, reading, and playing cards.  He loved the mountains and when younger, climbed to the top of Mt. Baker in Washington.

Craig became a believer and made profession of faith as a teenager in the Christian Reformed Church.  He was always active in his church as an adult. He served as a deacon at the Sonlight Community Church in Washington, and was a Sunday school teacher and middle school youth group leader at Liberty Evangelical Free Church in Pella.

Craig was a successful salesman. His loyalty and genuine desire to help was appreciated by all his customers. He was the top salesman of the year many times while working for DeLaval Dairy Service in Washington, worked selling internet services for Mediacom then Metronet in Iowa, and was salesman of the year in 2024 while working for Metronet.

Craig tragically left this earth to be with Jesus on June 16th, 2025 at the age of 66.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Christy and their family:

Cassandra "Cassie" & Aaron Houtz, Otley, Iowa

Daniel, and baby girl due 8/12/2025

Michael & Jacquelyn Buma, Orange City, Iowa

Jordan Buma, Pella, Iowa

He is also survived by sisters and their spouses: Cheryl and Mark Benson of Seattle, Washington, and Caryn and Ed Norton of Burlington, Washington, and step-father Harold Stremler of Mesa, Arizona.   Also surviving are his parents-in-law Robert and Sandy De Cook of Pella, sister-in-law Donna and Eric Van Ee of Pella, brother-in-law Terry De Cook of Pella, and many loved nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Craig was preceded in death by his father Pete Buma and his mother Althea Stremler.

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