Terry Scott Smuder

Terry Scott Smuder was born on April 17, 1947 to Harvey and Bettie (Zimdars) Smuder in Rush City, MN. He was the oldest of 3 children and has always been strong and stubborn. In fact, he could out-work and out-hunt men half his age. The last few years gave him a few more aches and pains, but it never slowed him down. For being such a strong man, he was equally kind and gentle, and he was said to give the best hugs. Terry served his country as a 2nd Class Radioman in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Honolulu, HI. After serving in the Navy, he returned to Rush City and bought land not far from his parents. There Terry raised beef cattle, pigs and sheep for many years and also farmed crops, such as corn, soy beans and hay. He worked as a general handyman and contractor and was hired by many people in the local area. From building homes, farming the land, refinishing guns, working on old tractors and farm equipment, fishing, trapping or hunting, Terry was always humble and respectful. He taught his children the value of honesty and hard work. He also instilled a love of nature that each one of them holds dear. With each of his marriages, his family and circle of friends grew. In 1977, Terry and his wife Barbara welcomed their daughter Terra. He then married Jan and instantly became a father to two pre-teen daughters, Charlotte and Elizabeth. In 1980, they welcomed their daughter Rebecca. In 1982, they welcomed their son Andrew. In 2006, Jan passed away after they celebrated 26 years of marriage together. In 2008, Terry began dating Debbie and on December 1, 2012, the two were married. Once again, Terry gained two more daughters, Angela and Kelly and their families. Terry went on many hunting trips, including trips to Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Canada, and South Africa. Terry and Debbie traveled to Iceland to visit special friends in 2014. Terry was a lifetime member of both the NRA (National Rifle Association) and the RSA (Remington Society of America), and was an avid supporter of the Second Amendment. He was also a member of SCI (Safari Club International) and NWTF (National Wild Turkey Foundation), as he knew the importance of wildlife conservation and quality management. Terry also became a Mason and belonged to Jasper Lodge #164 of Rush City, MN. His life was simple, but filled with accomplishment and pride as he lived his life to the fullest and on his own terms. Terry cherished his family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On Friday, October 14, 2016 Terry passed away peacefully while on his annual elk hunting trip in the Arapahoe National Forest in Grand County Colorado. He was surrounded by the greatest group of guys, including his son Andy, son-in-law Chad, and best friends Paul and Robert. Terry is survived by his mother Bettie Smuder and his brother Tom Smuder both of Rush City; his sister Sue (Lonnie) Kruse of Port Charlotte, Florida; his wife Debbie Smuder or Rush City; his children: Terra Smuder of Coon Rapids, Charlotte (Cary) Behrendt of Glencoe, Elizabeth (Steven) Beaumont of South St. Paul, Rebecca (Chad) Hoppe of Stanchfield, Andy (Jamie) Smuder of Rush City, Angela (Bart) Anderson of Blaine, and Kelly Tschida of Maple Grove; his grandchildren: Zoe Arhens, Cory (Jenni), Cody, Cash, Carissa and Cassi Behrendt, Madeline and Amanda Beaumont, Abigayle and Isabelle Hoppe, Wyatt and Emily Smuder, Katelyn and Jason Flakne and Bailey and Conner Tschida; his two great-grandchildren Eleanor Behrendt and Weston Drummer and a third on the way; many nieces, nephews, brother and sister-in-laws. Terry is preceded in death by his father, Harvey Smuder and his wife Janis (Allen) Smuder; many aunts, uncles and cousins. Please join us in celebrating Terry’s life on Thursday, November 3rd 2016 from 4–8 PM at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City with a Masonic Service scheduled for 7:30 PM. Funeral arrangements for Terry Smuder of Rush City are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel. www.FuneralAndCremationService.Com