Shirley Marquardt

Shirley Mae (Zahrt) Marquardt, age 87, of Wausau was ushered to her heavenly home on August 8, 2022, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Shirley was born on May 16, 1935, to Louis and Erna (Neuman) Zahrt in Ringle. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Town of Easton. She attended St. John’s Lutheran Elementary School in the Town of Easton and graduated from Birnamwood High School. Shirley met her future husband, DuWayne at Schmidt’s Ballroom in the Town of Maine. The couple were united in marriage on September 22, 1956, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, in the Town of Easton. They resided in Appleton for many years, raising their four children there. DuWayne’s work brought them back to the Wausau area for a few years and then back to Appleton. They spent time in Indiana and Tennessee before retiring back to Wausau permanently in 2001. They spent Winters in Florida.

Shirley mostly did volunteer work for the church and school, partly so she could keep an “eye” on her children. In 1985 she decided to become a beautician and graduated from the School of Cosmetology in Appleton. After graduation she worked for a beauty shop in the Appleton area. While in Indiana and Tennessee she worked for AZCO as DuWayne’s secretary.

She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and their home was always open to visitors, of which there were many. Shirley always enjoyed working in her flower gardens as well as volunteer work. The couple enjoyed fond memories of their 50th wedding anniversary cruising around the Hawaiian Islands with their children and grandchildren.

Shirley is survived by her husband, DuWayne; four children: Kim (Sandra) Marquardt of Green Bay, Lori (Paul) Johnson of Thiensville, Kathy (Norman) Doan of Wausau and Todd Marquardt of Wausau. Her eight grandchildren: Sara (Brett) Heeney of Fox Crossing, Jessica (Oleg) Dikhtyar of Green Bay, Andrew VanWeele of Texas, Derrick Cleveland of Wausau, Allison Cleveland of Kaukauna, Stephanie (TJ) Smotherman of Montana, Kyle (McKenzie) Marquardt of Seymour and Adam Marquardt of Seymour. Step-grandchildren Cody Winkler of Georgia, McKenna (Ty) Williams of Spain. Six greatgrandchildren with two more on the way. She is further survived by her sister Beverly Zahrt of Wausau, and sisters-in-law, Germaine Krause of Milwaukee, and Paula Marquardt of Ohio.

Besides her parents, Shirley is preceded in death by her sisters Delores Ninnemann, Ruth Zastrow and their husbands Lawrence and Leon. Also, many brothers and sisters-in-law.

Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Our Savior’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 703 Flieth St., Wausau. Burial will follow the service at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Pastor Jeffrey Mahnke will officiate as well as her grandson, Andrew. Visitation will be held on Saturday, from 9:00 AM until the time of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts to the family will be designated to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and School. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Pastor Mahnke for being with the family during this difficult time. Shirley will be dearly missed.

Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, is assisting the family with arrangements.  To share condolences and memories with the family, please visit www.helke.com.