Russell George "Russ" Schmidt
June 23, 1937 — August 6, 2011
Russell George Schmidt, 74, of Springville, died Saturday, August 6, 2011, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids, after a courageous battle with cancer. A Celebration of Russell’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at Springville United Methodist Church by Pastor John Keizer. Family will greet friends from 4 - 8 p.m., Tuesday, August 9, 2011, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion. Burial: Springville Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 50 years, Jean; sons Jeff (Meribeth) of Westmont, Illinois, Kelly (Dona) of Central City, and Corey of Cedar Rapids; 5 grandchildren, Kolin Schmidt, James and Dalton Farrington and Tessa and Melanie Rigoni; and sisters Alberta (Lawrence) Willey of Anamosa, and Lorraine Leinen of Onslow. Also surviving are 14 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Kenneth and Richard; nephews Brett McShane and Don Wittenburg, brother-in-law Don Leinen; and great-nephew Jay Schmidt.
Russ was born to Albert and Bertha (Kammerman) Schmidt on June 23, 1937 in Monticello, Iowa. He graduated from Olin High School in 1955. Russ served in the National Guard for six years, began a concrete business with his brother, Richard, and soon formed Schmidt Bros., Inc. He then worked at Rockwell Collins for 14 years until his retirement in 1999. Russ married his best friend and partner for life, Jean Marie McShane, in 1961 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Anamosa. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, traveling, music and dancing with Jean (especially to the 100s.)
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Russ’ memory.
Survivors include his wife of nearly 50 years, Jean; sons Jeff (Meribeth) of Westmont, Illinois, Kelly (Dona) of Central City, and Corey of Cedar Rapids; 5 grandchildren, Kolin Schmidt, James and Dalton Farrington and Tessa and Melanie Rigoni; and sisters Alberta (Lawrence) Willey of Anamosa, and Lorraine Leinen of Onslow. Also surviving are 14 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Kenneth and Richard; nephews Brett McShane and Don Wittenburg, brother-in-law Don Leinen; and great-nephew Jay Schmidt.
Russ was born to Albert and Bertha (Kammerman) Schmidt on June 23, 1937 in Monticello, Iowa. He graduated from Olin High School in 1955. Russ served in the National Guard for six years, began a concrete business with his brother, Richard, and soon formed Schmidt Bros., Inc. He then worked at Rockwell Collins for 14 years until his retirement in 1999. Russ married his best friend and partner for life, Jean Marie McShane, in 1961 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Anamosa. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, traveling, music and dancing with Jean (especially to the 100s.)
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Russ’ memory.
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