Craig L. Dietz, 64, of Blue Grass, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday evening, January 18, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Craig’s life to be held from 4 to 7 PM, on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa. A short service will take place at 6:30 PM.

Craig L. Dietz was born on May 30, 1961, in Maquoketa, Iowa, to Charles L. and Donna J. (Ferguson) Dietz. He was a Class of 1979 graduate of Maquoketa High School and had attended Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar, Iowa. He married the love of his life, Scarlet L. Larkey, on October 25, 1985, at First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa. The couple recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.

Craig was a farmer and worked as the Barn Manager at Maquoketa Livestock Sales, Inc. (MLS) for over 40 years. Following the sale of MLS in 2021, he continued to work as the Weighmaster for Maquoketa Livestock Exchange, LLC. In addition, after moving to Blue Grass, Craig worked for a neighboring farm where he was able to continue his love of farming part-time.

Craig was a member of Whitetails Unlimited, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Jackson County Farm Bureau and a former member of the Jackson County Cattleman’s Association.

Craig loved the outdoors, whether it be hunting with his best friend or fishing at his home pond. He was an animal lover and enjoyed playing euchre, reading, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Above all, Craig cherished time spent with his wife and daughters.

Those left to honor Craig’s memory include his wife, Scarlet Dietz of Blue Grass, IA; children, Danielle (Jake) Riley of Alexandria, VA, and Morgan (Zach Broshous) Dietz of Rock Falls, IL; a brother, Cory (Cheryl) Dietz of Woodland Park, CO; nieces, Elena (Kyle) Dietz-Mann of Minneapolis, MN , and Clarissa Dietz of Madison, WI; a stepmother, Karis Dietz of Maquoketa, IA; and a stepsister, Anne Kozak of Claremore, OK. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Brogan Dietz, a stepmother Margo (Thompson) Dietz, and a stepsister Jane (Kozak) Breitsprecker.

Memorials may be directed to Blood Cancer United, formerly known as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, to support blood cancer research and advocacy.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.