Schmidt, Russell George

Russell George Schmidt, 74, of Springville, died Saturday, Aug. 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 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011, at Springville United Methodist Church by Pastor John Keizer. Family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 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, Ill., Kelly (Dona) of Central City, and Corey of Cedar Rapids; five 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.

Please sign our online guest book for Russ at under obituaries.