Craig Alan McEnany, 70, of Nevada, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2026, after an unexpected and brief battle with cancer.

Friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home, 1418 Fawcett Pkwy, in Nevada.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 19, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1110 11th Street, in Nevada, with burial at St. Patricks Catholic Cemetery following Mass.

Craig was born December 13, 1955, the son of Donald and Virginia McEnany. He was united in marriage to Lisa Engelken on August 31, 1985.

Craig taught Agricultural Education for 48 years. He taught a combined nine years of high school at Anamosa, Waverly-Shell Rock, and Nevada. He was an instructor and program chair in the Agribusiness program at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Ankeny campus, for 30 years, retiring in December 2017, but continuing as an adjunct instructor until 2023.

He continued to work with students at Iowa State University with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as a Student Services Coordinator from 2018 until August 31, 2026.

Craig’s career was defined by his role as an educator who taught his students to believe in themselves and, when faced with challenges, taught them that the best way to take them on is to use the key to the bulldozer.

The assumption was that Craig won many awards, when in reality the awards were the result of earning through doing.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa, and seven children: Melissa McEnany of Ames, IA, Michael (Ashley) McEnany of Nevada, IA, Michelle (Brian) Titus of State Center, IA, Maria McEnany of Adel, IA, Megan (Tim) Bagge of Grimes, IA, Morgan (Alex) Flinn of West Des Moines, IA, and Mary McEnany of Adel, IA; and four grandchildren, Miles McEnany, Hailey Titus, Elliott Bagge, and Anne Flinn; his mother, Virginia McEnany of Waverly, IA; a brother, Kevin (Becky) McEnany of Floyd, IA; sisters, LaDonna (Larry) Pagel of Cedar Falls, IA and Patti (Tim) Marquart of Waterloo, IA.

He is preceded in death by his father, Donald McEnany; his parents-in-law, Edwin and Aletha Engelken; a grandson, Aloysius Flinn; and the babies who are forever in our hearts.

Memorials may be made to the family to establish a memorial fund for the Iowa Association of Agriculture Educators or to the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Future of Agriculture Scholarship Fund.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada has been entrusted with caring for Craig and is handling arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.