Louise Cragun

Louise Cragun was born November 11, 1908 to Louis and Carrie Clousing in Minneapolis. She was the 4th of siblings, Josephine, Lawrence & Cornelia, all of whom graduated from Minneapolis Central High School and the University of Minnesota. They have all predeceased her.
Louise found her greatest achievements and loves at the University of Minnesota, where she met her future husband, Merrill Cragun. She started attending Gopher athletics football & basketball games in 1928 until several thousand contests later her health in 1992 required her to watch Gopher contests on TV with her pompoms in hand.

While at the University she joined Delta Zeta Sorority, and because of her campus activities marched at the head of the senior class with Merrill. They were married in June 1931.

After the birth of her son, Merrill Jr. in 1932 the Craguns moved back to Minneapolis where Louise accepted a position with the Minneapolis Department of public Welfare.

The Craguns copywrited "Paul Bunyan" and spent the years of 1934 to 1938 promoting the "Paul Bunyan Playground" with booklets, postcards, games and products. Louise helped organize Brainerd's Paul Bunyan Days with the Maddens and the Brainerd Chamber of Commerce in 1936 & 1937 among resorts and cities in central & Northern Minnesota.

In 1940 Louise partnered with Merrill to buy property on Gull Lake near Brainerd to commence construction of Cragun's first 6 cabins, opening for business in 1941. World War II required her and father-in-law Virgil to operate the resort while husband ran the printing shop in the Twin Cities, coming each weekend by train to Brainerd.

Post WWII Louise continued sharing operations of Cragun's until the sale to her son (Dutch) in 1960. She was active in the First Christian Church in Minneapolis with several committees and the church choir; Traveler's Aid at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport; and the Minneapolis branch of the AAUW, where she composed many short stories.

Upon retirement of her husband, Merrill, from the Continuing Education Faculty of the University, they traveled widely while also caring for their daughter, Patricia, who passed away in 1981. After the death of her husband in January of 1986 she continued travels with her sister-in-law, Myrtle Cragun, friends and son and daughter-in-law, Irma, including trips to Japan, Berlin Germany to enjoy ballet performances of her nephew, Richard Cragun.

All the while her beloved resort was on her mind and she drove her car frequently from her home in Minneapolis to "The Resort" bringing friends and relatives to enjoy Gull Lake. When health required her to abandon her home she became a resident of the Woodland Nursing Home in Brainerd, where she received loving care from the dedicated staff until her passing on June 23, 2006.

A celebration of her life and achievements will be held at Cragun's Resort commencing at 12:00 pm Friday June 30th. The Memorial Gathering will be conducted by cousin, Reverend Rodger Cragun of Duluth with lunch following; all friends and relatives are cordially invited.

In lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts should be sent to First Christian Church of Minneapolis.