Russell Brace Schmidt, 78

Russell Brace Schmidt completed his earthly journey on Jan. 12, 2019, and went to his heavenly home with Jesus, his Lord and Savior.
A celebration of life will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Nashua with Rev. Paul Schaedig presiding.  A private family burial will take place at a later date.
Friends may greet the family from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at the church.  Hugeback Johnson Funeral Home in Nashua was entrusted with arrangements.
It was a beautiful day on May 28, 1940 when baby boy Russell Brace was born to Lyle and Mamie (Vauble) Schmidt at home on a farm near Sac City, Iowa.  He was the second of six children.  He was baptized into the Christian faith at ten years of age.  He graduated from Lakeview High School in Iowa.  After graduation he went to work for North Central Line Service in Alta, IA, constructing electrical power lines and then in 1963 joined the Army National Guard.
After basic training he came to work in Waverly, IA as an electrical lineman for Waverly Power and Light.  He rented a room from Hartman Rooming and there is where he met his future wife.  He and Karen Hartman were married in 1965 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly, IA.  Russell began employment with Iowa Public Service in Clarksville in 1973.  For 31 years they lived in Waverly until he was transferred to Charles City in 1996 after which they built a home in Nashua.  They raised three children and were married 53 years.
Russell retired in 2002 and really enjoyed his retirement.  He loved spending time with family.  After joining St. John’s Lutheran Church in Nashua he was invited to play dartball with the church team who had an impressive record of winning games and tournaments.  He really enjoyed his time playing dartball.  He liked watching the Western channel with many of the old time western television series and movies.  The Super Bowl began the year following their marriage and football became a staple in his television sports viewings.  He enjoyed telling the players and coaches of ball games how they should play!  Most recently Russ and Karen watched the old Match Game shows from the 1970’s and tried to see how often their answers would match the contestants and celebrities.
Russell is survived by his wife Karen Schmidt of Nashua, IA; two sons, Todd (Karen Russell) Schmidt of Little Rock, AR, Michael (Jennifer) Schmidt of  Evansdale, IA; one daughter Dawn Adrian of Spartanburg, SC; five grandchildren, Addison, Christian, Alana, Chloe and Haley; five siblings, Ann Strock of Storm Lake, IA, LeRoy (Charlotte) Schmidt of Cherokee, IA, Gary (Connie) Schmidt of Rippey, IA, Janice (Jim) Curry of Des Moines, IA, Mark (Julie) Schmidt of Sac City, IA; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son-in-law Ken Adrian; one brother-in-law Roger Strock.