DuWayne W. Marquardt

DuWayne William Marquardt, age 86, of Wausau passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday, January 2, 2023. 

DuWayne was born on February 13, 1936 to the late William and Winifred (Bazile) Marquardt.  He was baptized on January 16, 1938 at Grace Lutheran Church in the Town of Maine.   After High School he met Shirley Zahrt at Schmidt’s Ballroom.  The two were united in marriage on September 22, 1956 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Town of Easton.  They then moved to Appleton where they resided for 44 years and raised their four children.  DuWayne was employed at AZCO as an Ironworker and later as a project manager.  His work took him all over  the United States, bidding jobs and often running them.   He retired in 2002 after 55 years of service.  He and Shirley then moved to Wausau permanently and spent winters in Florida.   

DuWayne had an incredible sense of humor and loved to tease everyone. He was always willing to help those in need and had a heart of gold. He will surely be remembered by many for his desserts and especially his cookies, which he shared with so many. His favorite hobby was playing cards and nothing put a smile more on his face than winning against his kids. He loved spending as much time as he could with his family. He was a wonderful dad and we feel so blessed to have had wonderful parents. He was also a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. 

DuWayne is survived by his four children (brats): Kim (Sandra) Marquardt of Green Bay, Lori (Paul) Johnson of Thiensville, Kathy (Norman) Doan of Wausau and Todd Marquardt of Wausau. His eight grandchildren: Sara (Brett) Heeney of Fox Crossing, Jessica (Oleg) Dikhtyar of Green Bay, Andrew VanWeele of Texas, Derrick Cleveland of Wausau, Allison (Mitchell Reetz) Cleveland of Kaukauna, Stephanie (TJ) Smotherman of Montana, Kyle (McKenzie) Marquardt of Seymour and Adam Marquardt of Seymour. Step-grandchildren Cody Winkler of Georgia, MiKenna (Ty) Williams of Spain and eight great grandchildren. He is further survived by his sister Germaine Krause of Milwaukee and sister-in-law Beverly Zahrt.

Besides his parents and wife Shirley, he was proceeded in death by brothers Donald, Vernon and Clifford, and sisters Margaret, Doris, Evelyn, Betty Lou and Berneice.  

Visitation will be held from 9-11AM with Funeral Service to follow on Friday, January 13, 2023 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 703 Flieth St, Wausau, WI 54401.  The Rev. Jeffrey Mahnke as well as DuWayne’s grandson Andy VanWeele will officiate.  The service will be available via livesteam for those who are unable to attend and can be accessed by visiting DuWayne’s obituary page at www.helke.com.   Committal will be at Restlawn Memorial Park.   

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or school.