Charles “Chuck” R. Schmidt , 74, of Ellendale, died Sunday, July 25, 2010, at Red Wing Health Center.
He was born Feb. 28, 1936, in Milwaukee, Wis., the son of John and Hilda (Ulwelling) Schmidt. Their family moved to Austin where Charles graduated from St. Augustine Catholic School in 1954. He then entered the National Guard where he served from 1954 to 1962. He was united in marriage to Anne Giovannetti in 1956 in Austin and in their union had four children. They then moved to Owatonna where Chuck worked at the Coca Cola Bottling Co. and in 1965 worked at Owatonna Public Utilities until his retirement in 1998. On May 29, 1991, he was united in marriage to Helen Reese and they made their home in Ellendale. After his retirement, Chuck drove a school bus for NRHEG school district and also worked at Truckers Inn.
Over the years Chuck enjoyed beekeeping, collecting John Deere tractors, boating, motorcycling and harnessing horse racing at the Steele County Fair. He also enjoyed having coffee with the Village Coffee Clutch.
He was a member of St. Aidan’s Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Schmidt of Ellendale; children, Julie Schmidt-Quamme of St. Louis Park, Todd Schmidt of Apple Valley, Nancy Schmidt (Doug Kraus) of Rochester; granddaughter, Miranda Schmidt of Rochester; stepchildren, Jim (Mary) Brocker of Lake Crystal, Jane (Alan) Melander of Brooklyn Center; step-grandchildren, Jessica, Corbin, Caleb and Mercedes; sisters, Delores Root of St. Louis Park and Theresa Earl of Austin; brothers, Wayne Schmidt of Elk River and Arnie (Kay) Schmidt of Belvidere, Ill.; mother-in-law, Ellis Reese of Ellendale; sister-in-law, Darlene (Ronald) Christensen of Lincoln, Neb.; Godchildren, Sue Nelson, Sherry Keck and Sara Keck.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, Charles R. Schmidt, Jr.; son-in-law, Reid Quamme; and father-in-law, Harold Reese.
Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 29, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Aidan Catholic Church in Ellendale with Father Swaminathy Pothireddy officiating. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Austin.
Arrangements are by Michaelson Funeral Homes, Inc.