KATHRYN ELLA MARQUARDT's Obituary
Kathryn Ella Marquardt (nee Kay) 89 years of age, arrived in Heaven to be with her beloved husband Martin. She left this earth on January 25, 2016 in her home in Castro Valley, CA where it was her heart’s wish to spend her final days.Kathryn was born December 21, 1926 in Doland, South Dakota at home on her family’s farm. Her parents were Lena Emelia (nee Fritz born in Freistatt, Missouri December 6, 1905; died in Spencer, South Dakota September 11, 1985)) and Charles Raymond Kay (born in Greenfield, Iowa May 13, 1895 died in Spencer, South Dakota May 13, 1968). His parents brought Charles and his six siblings to South Dakota from Iowa in a covered wagon. Charles Kay served in the US Army in France during WWI. Lena and Charles were married in Madison, South Dakota December 12, 1925. Kathryn is survived by her sister Dorothy Mae (nee Kay) Abbott of Lincoln, Nebraska. She also had a brother Milford Charles Kay of Houston,Texas.Kathryn and Martin met at Luther League Camp in 1943 in South Dakota. Martin gave Kathryn a silver heart pendant that said “I love you” at the end of camp. Kathryn wore this heart for her entire life and told everyone that Martin had given it to her. They were married in Spencer, South Dakota on June 1, 1947.Kathryn attended school through high school in Spencer, South Dakota. In June of 1944 she joined the Nurse Cadet Corps and started nurses training at Methodist Hospital, Mitchell, South Dakota for 3 years. She had three months orthopedic training at Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. She graduated in May 1947. During her senior year vacation she took a train to Lodi, California to visit Martin, who had gotten out of the Army and was working at Super Mold Plant. Martin then moved to Aberdeen, SD and lived with his brother Bill so he could go to college. Martin and Kathryn were married June 1, 1947 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spencer, SD, married by Pastor Paul Friedrich. They honeymooned in Iowa to visit Martin’s brother Mike and his wife Anna Lee. Martin continued college and they lived in a quonset hut (military surplus) on campus. Kathryn worked in a Catholic hospital and then in an office for two doctors.On August 10, 1949 daughter Carolyn Kay Marquardt was born. They packed their belongings and when Carolyn was ten days old they took off for California. They lived in Lodi, CA for a year in a one room apartment while Martin went to College of Pacific in Stockton, CA to get his California teaching credential. Kathryn did night nursing at a small hospital in Lodi. Martin’s first job was teaching mathematics in Junior High School in Salinas, CA. They rented a duplex on Kenworth Avenue. December 23, 1950, Michael Henry Marquardt was born at Park Lane Hospital in Salinas. Martin was out delivering mail during Christmas break for extra money, so the neighbors took Kathryn to the hospital. February 25, 1952 David Charles Marquardt was born at the same hospital. Somewhere in between, Kathryn worked a few nights at the same hospital. When school was out in the Spring of 1952 they moved to Oakland, CA and Martin had a job at Bancroft Junior High School in San Leandro. He taught there two years and then moved to San Leandro High School. Martin worked one summer at Dennison’s Food to get a down payment of $600 for a new house on Nordell Avenue in Castro Valley by Christmas 1953. Eden Hospital was new and close by so Kathryn started working the evening shift on the surgical floor part time. On July 10, 1957 Marianne Louise Marquardt was born at Eden Hospital. Kathryn worked private night duty until 1962 when ICU opened and she worked part time there. Martin retired from teaching in 1982 and Kathryn retired from nursing in 1985.Kathryn loved being a mother. She loved working in her garden. She was a very good seamstress and made her own clothes as well as clothes for her children and later for her grandchildren. She was a good cook and an excellent baker; there were always several different kinds of homemade cookies in her kitchen as well as pies and cakes for special occasions. Kathryn attended church with Martin their whole lives and made sure their children went to Sunday School and confirmation classes. Together they organized fun outings for the seniors from church. Kathryn loved traveling with Martin. They traveled in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, the Holy Lands, Turkey, Africa, Hawaii and many places in the United States. Kathryn had a wonderfully full life together with her beloved Martin. A life filled with love of God, love of family, love of sitting quietly in the garden together.Kathryn is survived by her children: Carolyn Marquardt and her husband Reid Champagne of Kirkland, WA; Michael Marquardt and his wife Sharon of Livermore, CA; David Marquardt and his wife Andrea of Los Altos, CA; and Marianne O’Donoghue of Castro Valley, CA. Grandchildren: Craig Marquardt of Los Altos, CA; Jesse Marquardt and his wife Robin of Pacifica, CA; Jennifer Marquardt of Sacramento, CA; Jonathan Marquardt of Ocean Shores, WA; and Sean O’Donoghue and his wife Kendra of San Jose, CA. Great-grandchildren: Conrad Marquardt of Pacifica, CA; Josiah Marquardt of Los Altos; and Charlotte O’Donoghue of San Jose.Please join the family for Funeral Services to be held 1:30 pm Sunday January 31, 2016, officiated by Pastor Oatman at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 172 Breed Avenue San Leandro, CA Reception following in Parish Hall across from church. website: www.saintpeterssanleandro.org for directionsBurial Service Monday February 1, 2016, Chapel of the Chimes. We request immediate family only.I can no longer See you with my eyes Touch you with my hands But I will feel you in my heart Forever
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