Ardell G Schmidt

Lake Crystal Mortuary
648 S. Main Street
Lake Crystal, MN 56055
(507) 726-6161

Ardell "Joe" G. Schmidt, age 87, of Lake Crystal, died Saturday, May 24, 2014 at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in North Mankato.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal with Rev. Andrea Myers, officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the church. Family interment will be in Lake Crystal Cemetery. Lake Crystal Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church, Mayo Clinic Hospice " Mankato, or Alzheimer's Association.

Joe was born December 12, 1926 to Albert and Bertha (Krueger) Schmidt in Martin County, Minnesota. He graduated from Ceylon High School in 1946 and then from the Lee Barber School in St. Paul. Joe was united in marriage to Ardis L. Wendland on Sunday, November 28, 1948 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Springfield. Joe began barbering in New Ulm and then bought the Barber shop in Lake Crystal from Elmer Nelson in 1952, retiring in 1998. He was as known as "Joe the Barber". He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and was a former trustee and on the church building committee. He was a member of the Lakeland Choralaires Barbershop Chorus and enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, wood carving, and restoring Model A Ford's.

Joe is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ardis of Lake Crystal; five children, Thomas (Susan Rudrud) Schmidt of Edina, Linda (Gary) Neubauer of Minnetonka, Laurel Evans of Mankato, James Schmidt of Milaca, and John Schmidt of Savage; six grandchildren, Amy, Betsy, Addie, Jesse, Paul, and Neal; one great-granddaughter, Lindsay; many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Paul; and brother, Harlan.