Todd Robert Criego

Todd Criego, age 64 of Hammond, a beloved husband, dad, papa, son and brother, as well as a friend to so many, passed away peacefully with his girls by his side on Sunday, March 22, following a hard-fought battle with cancer. Todd was born on August 14, 1961, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Robert and Gail (Wegner) Criego. He was raised in St. Paul before the family made their move to "God's Country" in Wisconsin, where he graduated from St. Croix Central High School with the class of 1979.

After graduation, his life took a turn he never expected when he met a young woman who caught his attention. He worked up the courage to ask her out, and from that moment on, his world was never the same. On February 2, 1985, he married his best friend and soulmate, Patricia (Patty) Frank, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hammond. Their lives were blessed with four beautiful daughters: Nicole, Jessica, Samantha and Kelsey. Together, they shared 41 years of marriage, walking side by side through life's greatest joys and its most difficult moments. As a husband and father, he was protective, supportive, compassionate, kind hearted, a shoulder to lean/cry on and the steady rock of the family. His embracing hugs were warm, never ending and full of love. Anyone who knows him, would know that he was proud of the family he and Patty created.

As a young man, he explored various jobs including car salesman and security at different companies. He had aspirations of becoming a police officer and served with the St. Paul Police Reserve, later joining the Hammond Police Department Auxiliary. He later found his place in the banking industry, working in security for U.S. Bank's technology department, where he served as an access manager overseeing more than 700 individuals.

Though he did not pursue law enforcement full-time, Todd was deeply drawn to serving others. He found that calling in the fire service in 1994, where he became a respected member of the United Fire Department. Known for his mentorship, camaraderie to his brothers and sisters of the department, and that grin of his, he became one of the department's favorites, where he rose through the ranks from a firefighter to Captain, and then retiring as Assistant Chief, serving alongside his close friend, Chief Andy "Butch" Jensen. Todd took over organizing the department's annual car show, fueling his love of cars. After 20 years of dedicated service, he made the difficult decision to retire. He never regretted hanging up his helmet chasing fires to spend more time chasing the little ones that would call him "Papa."

Becoming a father to daughters softened him in all the right ways and filled his life with a deeper kind of love. That love only grew when he became Papa, bringing a new sense of joy and purpose for both him and Patty. He cherished every moment with them-building high chairs and toy boxes, taking walks through the woods, playing in the pool, rides on Papa's back, attending their school/sports events and creating endless memories. He showered each one of them with unwavering love and endless hugs.

From taking apart and rebuilding various motors as a young boy to owning over 150 vehicles, restoring many of them, cars were a lifelong passion. Todd had a gift for restoring old, run-down, classic cars into something special. If they were sitting in a field, abandoned, even better. He'd trailer them to the house and get to work ordering parts, pulling out engines, sanding and painting. He loved sharing his passion of cars with his family, having the girls help hand him tools, as he laid under the car. His grandchildren could always count on Papa to have a stash of the best Hot Wheels to go home with.

Whether he was fishing on Bear Trap with friends, tinkering in the yard, mowing the grass, planting trees, or working in the garage, Todd loved being outside. Music was therapy to him as he listened to a wide variety of artists, but he also taught himself how to play guitar and was working on learning the harmonica. Todd loved traveling with Patty and the family down south, where he could let the white sand slip between his toes. He absorbed more than just the sun and water-it was the memories that were etched into his soul. He took in as many sunrises and sunsets as he could, always in awe of their beauty. And he knew there was only one way to truly experience that kind of beauty-with the people you love most. Todd understood that while the sun rises each day, it must also set. On March 22nd, surrounded by his girls, he experienced his final sunset-one filled with peace, love, and the greatest joys of his life.

Todd will forever remain in the hearts of his wife, Patty; daughters Nicole (Nick) Witthoft, Jessica (Adam) Brown, Kelsey (Zack) Gillis; grandchildren Declan, Elsie, Bode, Lennon, Kasen, Lauren, as well as one on the way; mother Gail (Ernie) Bruckner of Lake Elmo; siblings Robin (Brad) Schwalen, Troy (Jennifer) Criego; brothers/sisters-in-law Daryl (Sue) Frank, Luanne Gerhardt, Ed (Christine Johnson) Frank, Melissa (Michael) Gruenes; as well as several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his daughter , Samantha Criego; father, Robert; parents-in-law Harland and Stella Frank; brothers/sisters-in-law Al Gerhardt, Suzanne and Steve Brathol, and Michael and Barbara Frank.

A memorial service for Todd Criego will be 11 AM, Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hammond. A visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at a later date in the Hammond Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 3 PM to 8 PM at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin. Memorials are preferred and will further the passions of Todd's life. Arrangements are entrusted to O'Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Baldwin. For more information or to share a memory, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-684-3434.