Russell Schmidt

Russell E. Schmidt, 83, of Nisswa, Minn, died Saturday, August 25, 2012 at Bethany Good Samaritan, Brainerd, Minn.

Russell (Bud) was born in 1929 to Edward and Luella (Sletten)Schmidt in Pequot Lakes, Minn., where he grew up and attended school. In 1950, he was united in marriage to Gladys Anderson, Nisswa, Minn. Russell and Gladys made their home in Nisswa for 61 years where they raised their six children. He was the owner and operator of Interlake Dairy, a Land O' Lakes distributorship in Nisswa for 25 years. His friends called him "Milky Bud" for his many years of outstanding service as the local "milkman," delivering dairy products to homes, resorts and businesses. His many volunteer activities included 16 years with the Nisswa Fire Department, six years on the NisswaElementary School Board, and the Nisswa Boy Scouts, Troop 81. He was co-founder and past president of the Gull Lake Drifters Snowmobile Club. He especially loved fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, construction, watching NASCAR races, traveling to the Rockies, Banff and Jasper National Parks, storytelling, and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; six sisters, BerniceMinette, Jean Hurd, Delane McNamee, Delores Suchy, Shirley Thompson, and Patricia (infant); one brother, Richard (infant); and one grandson.

Survived by his wife of 61 years, Gladys; three sons, Richard (Jane) Schmidt of Brainerd, Minn., Roger (Marthann) Schmidtof Wyoming, Minn., and Jeffrey Schmidt of Brainerd, Minn.; three daughters, Betsy Hollister of Nisswa, Minn., Beverly (Michael) Bahr of Brainerd, Minn., and Judith Hays of New Richmond, Wis.; two brothers, Dale (JoAnn) Schmidt of LinoLakes, Minn., and Darrell Schmidt of Corcoran, Minn.; four sisters, Marion (Dennis) Heapy of Brainerd, Minn., Sharon (Bart) Carlson of Rockford, IL, Linda Smith of Houston, TX, and Marlys DeJarnett of Rockford, IL; 18 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter from 5 pm - 8 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012. A service will be held at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter at 12 noon on Saturday, September 1, 2012.