Marie Marquardt

Marie Marquardt, 94, of Lena, passed away Friday evening, July 22, surrounded by her family. Marie was born on April 9, 1928, to Phillip and Ernestine Graef at the home of her grandparents, George and Josephine Greenwood. She attended school at the new red schoolhouse that her father helped build in Spruce. Marie then attended Pershing grade school in Lena through eighth grade, then on to Lena High School. Marie married Melvin Marquardt on Nov. 9, 1946. They moved to Oconto where they started their family. In 1957, they moved to Lena. Marie worked as a nurse’s aide at the Oconto Hospital for 20 years, two years at the Oconto Nursing home, then eventually, started her own CBRF in her home to take care of the elderly until her retirement. She belonged to St. Anne’s Parish where she was chairman of the funeral committee for 20-plus years, taught CCD classes for a few years and was on the parish council for seven years. She also served as president of the Altar Society, sang in the choir and was a reader for weekday masses for several years. Marie was well known for her baking. She was happiest when she was baking bread, sweet rolls and kalaches. Marie also belonged to a sewing club, for over 60 years where they gathered to mend clothes, but eventually turned into a card club. The two most important things in her life were family and church. Some of her last written words were she had a good life. Marie is survived by 12 of her 13 children; Jerry Marquardt, Tomahawk, Judi (Roger) Skrobel, Lena, Jean (John) Soukup, Coleman, Phil (Donna) Marquardt, Lena, Ann (Dennis) McLaren, White Bear Lake, Minnesota, John Marquardt, Waterford, Chris (Kevin) Rusch, Oconto Falls, Diane (Leroy) Wessley, Lena, Joe (Lori) Marquardt, Coleman, Paul (Linda) Marquardt, Lena, Gail (Paul) Madson, Lena, and Leo (Cathy) Marquardt, Enfield, New Hampshire. She is also survived by 39 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Margaret Ann Lefebre, Lena, and Jeanette Dabb, Florence; and one sister-in-law, Jean Graef, Oconto Falls. Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; one son, James; five grandchildren, Bobby, Jo Ann, Bradley, Stefanie, and Brett; two great-grandchildren twins, Abby, and Amanda; three brothers, Phil, Donny, and Bernard; and two sisters, Claire Mae and Pat. Friends may call at Rhodes-Charapata Funeral Home, 438 W. Main St., Lena, on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, from 4-8 p.m. A parish wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Visitation will continue on Thursday July 28, 2022, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 221 E. Main St., Lena, from 9:30-11 a.m. The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church with the Rev. Felix Abano officiating. Burial will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Lena. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rhodescharapata.com The family would like to thank the staff at The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care for their wonderful care, especially Cathy and Erika. A special thanks also to Unity Hospice for their care and concern.