Peter Smude of Pillager, Minn., died Monday, march 20, 2017. He was 70.
Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 24, at St. Francis Catholic Church. Visitation was from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home with prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation continued Friday at 10 a.m. at the church until the time of the service.
Peter A. Smude was born June 15, 1947, in Little Falls to Vincent and Agnes Smude. He married Deborah L. Ewers April 1, 1978. This marriage formed a family, two daughters Michele and Pamela, two sons Peter ?ÄúJason?Äù and Justin. Together they were blessed to have a son Jeffrey which made the family circle complete. The family mixture was the greatest joy of his life.
Peter served 36 years in the armed forces, recently retired after 27 years on the Pillager Fire Department, he was a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW, and was active in TIPS, DAV, Crow Wing County VA, Cass County Veterans Service Center, MDAA, Harding Sportsmen, Pheasants Forever, MN Deer Hunters Assoc., Ducks Unlimited and Turkey Assoc.
Peter worked at various jobs over his lifetime starting with selling worms, farming and working in the family sawmill. Throughout his life he had numerous other jobs, but most dear to his heart, were his children on the school bus routes.
Peter was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Celia Pulak, Helen Veith, Margaret Weiss, Angie Bieganek; and brothers Herman Smude and August Smude.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years Deborah L. (Ewers); sons Peter ?ÄúJason?Äù (and Janet) Smude, Justin (and Bridget) Smude, Jeffrey Smude; daughters Michele (and Jason) Capes, and Pamela (and Jason) Ruhoff, all of Minnesota; grandchildren Mitchel, Amanda, Josephine, Ellie, Sarah, Kaye, Athena, Shelby, Taijah, J Dallas, Erica, and Hailey; great-grandsons Liam and William; sister Caroline Veith; brothers Alex Sr. ?ÄúButch?Äù Smude, and Larry (and Barb) Smude; sisters-in-law Florence Smude, Martha (and Rod) Rasmusen, and brother-in-law Henry (and Kathie) Ewers. He is also survived by many other family members and close friends.