Russell Schwede

Russell Alan Schwede, 56, of Wausau, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, July 8, 2021, with family and close friends by his side.

Russell was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, on September 3, 1964, the son of Edward and Shirley (Luedtke) Schwede.

Russell graduated from Wausau East High School in 1983. As soon as he turned 18 years old, he started driving school buses owned by his parents for the Wausau School District. Additionally, Russell joined his father’s excavating business full-time, driving a dump truck and operating machinery. He was particularly gifted at operating the bulldozer. In the winter months, Russell plowed snow for multiple businesses and residences, always helping neighbors plow their driveways during a heavy snowfall. Following his father’s entrepreneurial spirit, Russell started his own topsoil screening business. He took great pride in his work and continued working alongside his father throughout his cancer treatments.

When not hard at work, Russell was an avid outdoorsman, spending much of his free time bow and rifle hunting, bear hunting, fishing, and hanging out at the family cabin at Gilmore Lake. He enjoyed trying his luck on the slots. Russell’s perfect weekend would include a Friday night Bud Light at the Big Garage, a Harley ride on a sunny Saturday afternoon and a Packers win on a Sunday.

He is survived by his parents, Edward and Shirley Schwede of Wausau; his siblings, Randy Schwede of Wausau, Sandy (Bill) Moss of Wausau, Edward Jr. (Jane) Schwede of Wausau, Lynn (Daniel) Moore of Manitowoc; beloved nieces and nephews Tarissa Moss of Austin, TX, Benjamin Moss of Los Angeles, CA, Jacquelyn Moss of Kronenwetter, Tiffani Schwede of Milwaukee, Kaitlynn Moore of Manitowoc, and Douglas Moore of Manitowoc. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, close family friends and Jacque’s fiancé Alex Schremp.

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents; Charles & Mayme Schwede and maternal grandparents; Bruno & Olga Luedtke.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Aspirus Cancer Center, Dr. Rezazadeh, Dr. Peterson, and all of the Aspirus Hospice nurses and staff for their wonderful care of Russell.

A Funeral Service officiated by Jon Graveen will be held at 11:00 am Friday, July 16, 2021 at Mission Evangelical Church (rural Town of Texas), 243734 Camp Blessing Rd, Wausau, WI 54403. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am Friday until time of service at the church. Interment will be in the Mission Evangelical Church Cemetery.

Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, assisted the family with arrangements. You may sign our family guestbook helke.com