Irma Marquardt

Irma Marquardt died Monday, July 18, 2011 at the Aspirus Hospital, Wausau.

Irma was born April 9, 1916 in Grant Park, Illinois, daughter of the late August and Anna (Weber) Holtz. When she was six years old, the family moved to the Town of Texas. On October 1, 1938 she married Walter Marquardt and they farmed in the Town of Maine for 50 years.

Irma graduated from Wausau High School and completed a clerical course at the Wausau Vocational School. She worked at Employersa�(TM) Mutual for 30 years. Irma was also a homemaker and loved to sew. For outdoor exercise, she mowed an acre of lawn, as well as going on daily walks. She loved crossword puzzles and keeping up with the political news. For the past fifty years, she has written a page in her journal each night with great details about the day, especially her family.

Irma was a member of St. John Lutheran Church for 72 years. She sang in the choir for 60 years. She also served on the church council, taught Sunday School, and served as an officer of the Ladies Aid. She loved Bible studies and read her devotionals each night.

At the age of 75, she began another "career," babysitting. She took care of Kathleen, Vincent and Andrea Vignali until she reached 90. She gave them loving care as infants and then after-school care.

Her family was her top priority and her children include Virginia (Gigs) Kirsch, Katy (Dieter) Harle, Helen (Jim) Skindlov, Steve (Lynn) Marquardt, Joel (Marion) Marquardt and John Marquardt.
Her nine grandchildren include Charles (Deb) Kirsch, Fredric (Joan) Kirsch, Heidi (Craig) Rosslee, Suzanne Harle, Joel (Melissa) Skindlov, Elizabeth (Ryan) Luiten, Ben Marquardt, Aryelle Marquardt, and Aaron Marquardt.

Her nine great-grandchildren include Christopher, Carson, Robyn, Allison, Erica, Owen, Blazer, Dash, Finley, Max and Cooper. Her dear friends are Delores Lonsdorf and Pat Rogalla.

She was preceded in death by her husband and four siblings. Otto Holtz is her only living sibling.

The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, July 23, 2011, at St. John Lutheran Church, Town of Maine. The Rev. Dan Sire will officiate. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2011 at Helke Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:45 p.m. There will also be visitation from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 23 at St. John Lutheran Church.