Richard "Rich" L. Kammerud
January 4, 1943 — June 24, 2016
Richard L. Kammerud, 73, of Balsam Lake, WI passed away on Friday, June 24, 2016 at the Ladysmith Care Community with his family at his side after a short battle with colon cancer. Rich was born on January 4, 1943 in Minneapolis, Minnesota the only child of Louis V. and June (Swanson) Kammerud. He was raised in the Star Prairie – Dresser area, graduated from St. Croix Falls High School and later earned a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan.
He married LeAlyce “Le” Schmidt who was from Cumberland in 1968. To this union three sons were born, Nathan, Christopher and Cory. Following graduate school, the couple lived and worked in Eau Claire, where Rich was the Deputy Director of Eau Claire County DHS. The family moved to Balsam Lake in 1979 where Rich was Director of Polk County Human Services until his retirement in 2009.
Rich enjoyed his home and projects around the house and property. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed listening to his favorite sports teams on the screened-in porch overlooking the lake.
Rich leaves to celebrate his memory: his wife Le of 48 years, Balsam Lake, WI; sons, Nathan Kammerud, St. Francis, MN; Chris (Julie) Kammerud, Ladysmith, WI; grandchildren, Ashlee, Ellee, Sophia and Nolan and other loving family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and June Kammerud and his son Cory Kammerud.
The funeral service for Rich will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at Milltown Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held at the Kolstad Family Funeral Home, Centuria on Monday, June 27, 2016 from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. and again at the church Tuesday beginning at 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. Following the service the family invites their guests to join them in the church basement for lunch and fellowship.
Rich will be laid to rest at the Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis on Tuesday at 3:15 P.M. Pallbearers will be Jim Schmidt, Bill Whalen, Larry Neve, Michael Schmidt, Brian Schmidt and Jeff Whalen.
The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.