Florian Smoky Schultz

Florian E. (Smoky) Schultz, 97, passed away December 11, 2015. Smoky, as he was known to friends and family, was born in Ardoch, North Dakota.  He owned and operated Smoky’s Bar and Lounge in Ardoch, North Dakota, from 1937 to 1985. In 1944, Smoky married Barbara (Kennedy) Schultz, an accomplished musician and entertainer.  The two of them expanded their small business and created a brand that represented good food, good drinks, good music and lots of fun. Smoky operated front of house and Barbara accompanied many bands that played umpapa/old-time music in their dance hall on weekends. The Schultz’s served smorgasbord on Saturday nights following their dances, and on Fridays served Walleye and Northern Pike, lobster, and steak at their famous fish fry.  The business was an enormous source of pride for both. In 1963, Smoky moved his family to Grand Forks so his children could attend Grand Forks schools. Barbara worked for the Diana Corporation and he was employed by the Department of Agriculture as a Statistical Crop Reporter while they continued to operate Smoky’s in Ardoch. Upon graduation of their youngest child in 1975, the couple moved back to Ardoch. Smoky ran Ardoch’s contract postal station, opened a grocery store next to the post office, and continued to run the bar and lounge.  He jokingly referred to it as the “Ardoch Mall.”  In the city election of 1980, Smoky was elected Mayor of Ardoch for a term of four years.  The couple moved back to Grand Forks when his term was completed and he’d sold the business. After his retirement, Smoky worked at a number of part-time jobs, including Grand Forks Glass and Paint and Kmart. He also managed several apartment complexes. He enjoyed working and did so well into his 80s when complications following knee and hip replacement surgeries forced his permanent retirement. Smoky was a devoted Catholic, a prayer warrior and particularly dedicated to saying his rosary. He attended St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks until he was 96. He loved dogs and was a breeder of Golden Retrievers as a younger man. He adored young children referring to them as “Butterflies in the Wind.”  He enjoyed collecting coins and currency that was limited or unusual. He was a “clothes horse” and loved getting “dressed to the nines.” He loved old-time and classic country music and was a great dancer. He enjoyed flowers and gardening, a good night on the town, and eating anything sweet. For most of his adult life, he helped care for family or friends through his love of cooking.  Cooking became not only a source of income, but of nurturing and self expression.   Smoky’s wife of nearly 60 years, Barbara, preceded him in death (2003). He is survived by children Patrice, Rebecca, Althea, BJ (Barbara Jo), Kim, Rob and Celia (Sheila), and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 19, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Grand Forks. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Grand Forks.