Craig Russell Fontaine

CRAIG RUSSELL FONTAINE 

Son, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, and Friend 

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Craig Russell Fontaine of Detroit Lakes on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. 

Craig was born on October 3, 1954, at the Deaconess Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the son of Obert and Carol (Paulsrud) Fontaine. He was baptized at his parents home by Reverend Carl Osland of St. Marks Lutheran Church. The Reverend and his wife serving as his godparents. 

Craig spent his early childhood growing up at 1802 1st Avenue North in Grand Forks. 1959, the family moved to 618 24th Avenue South, where he continued to grow up surrounded by family, friends, and the neighborhood that was home to his formative years. 

Craig attended Viking Elementary School, Schroeder Jr. High School, and graduated from Red River High School in 1972. Craig lived a life that was anything but ordinary. He was a man of many interests, talents, and adventures, and he was never afraid to take on something new. He began working at McDonald's when he was just 15 years old and ultimately spent 19 years with the company. His hard work and natural ability as a leader led him to become a store manager, and he was named McDonald's Outstanding Store Manager of the Year for two consecutive years in the Minneapolis region, which at the time included approximately 2,500 restaurants across three states. 

Craig eventually came to Detroit Lakes from Bemidji to manage the local McDonald's. He quickly fell in love with the Detroit Lakes area and decided to make it his home. He never left.

 After his years with McDonald's, Craig continued to find ways to serve and teach others. He worked as an emergency medical technician with St. Mary's Ambulance Service and taught restaurant management in the Marketing Education Department at the technical college in Detroit Lakes for nine years. After earning a two-year paramedicine certificate, he returned to St. Mary's Ambulance Service as a full-time paramedic. 

In 2008, Craig embarked on one of the most unusual chapters of his life when he went to Iraq as a private paramedic supporting the Western military coalition. For 42 months, with occasional trips home, he worked at six different coalition bases in southern Iraq. Although his work was primarily non-combat, he provided medical care to private contractors, military personnel, and Iraqi citizens. His duties eventually expanded to include more advanced clinical procedures. It was challenging and, at times, dangerous. During one Thanksgiving Day, a rocket strike destroyed an office approximately 100 feet from his clinic, just minutes after the staff had left for dinner. 

Craig returned home with a wealth of experiences and stories that few people could ever imagine. 

Service to others was a recurring theme throughout Craig's life. He volunteered as a Detroit Lakes firefighter and served with the Becker County Sheriff's Auxiliary. He was also a longtime Scoutmaster and was honored with the Silver Scout Award for his service to young people. 

Craig's interests reflected his adventurous and independent spirit. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, riding his Harley-Davidson, and flying. He earned his private pilot's license and loved the freedom and adventure that came with being in the air. 

Craig also had an interest in his community and believed strongly in giving back. He cared about Detroit Lakes and the people who called the area home. He believed in responsible leadership, treating people fairly, and making the most of the resources entrusted to those in public service. 

Above all, Craig was a person who lived life on his own terms. He worked hard, served others, pursued new challenges, and developed friendships wherever his journey took him. He had a remarkable range of experiences. 

Craig is survived by his sisters, Elizabeth Ann McWilliams of Arvilla, North Dakota; Carolyn Purpur of Grand Forks; nieces and nephews, Brenda McWilliams of Fargo; Lisa and Jeff Lambing of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Ray and Terrie Purpur of Stanford, California; Patty and Greg de Vries of Los Gatos, CA; Anne Marie Dennis and Debbie Dennis of Grand Forks; great nephews and nieces, Tyler and Scott Flaherty of St. Paul, Minesota; Jennifer and Chad Sheridan, of Cheyenne, WY; Sarah Lambing of Cheyenne, WY; Donte Gash of Nipoma, CA; Ian and Nicole deVries of Walnut Creek, CA; Ariana and Brad Miller of Larimore; Colin deVries of Orlando, Florida; Alicia and Mitra Purpur of San Francisco, CA; Ryan Purpur of Palo Alto, CA, Great-great nieces and nephews, Ella and Adam Groendal, Jasper Miller, Quinn and Enoch Flaherty and many extended family members and special friends.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Obert and Carol Fontaine; his sister, Faye Dennis; brothers-in-law Charles McWilliams and Michael Dennis; and nephew Charles Daniel McWilliams. 

Craig leaves behind a lifetime of memories and stories that will be shared for many years to come. His family and friends will remember his adventurous spirit, his willingness to help others, his strong work ethic, and the many different paths his life took him down. 

We are deeply saddened by his passing, but we are also grateful for the life he lived and the many people whose lives he touched along the way. We know Craig is in a better place, reunited with those who went before him. He will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and never forgotten. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to so many for the kindness, care, and friendship they provided Craig.