Frederick William Marquardt

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, born March 5, 1930 in Delta Township, Michigan, passed away on Sept. 9, 2013 at the age of 83.

Fred is survived by his wife of 62 years, Catherine Jean (Jean) and his five children, Michelle (Chris) Smith of Eagle, MI; Linda Marquardt, of Delta Township; Mary (Jim) Gwardzinski of Delta Township; Frederick (Rebecca) Marquardt, of Commerce Township; and Lori Marquardt of Costa Mesa, Cal. He is survived by one sister, June Lee, of Grand Ledge. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Jonathan, Jacob and Caitlin Smith, Chadwick Ellis, Emily and Kelly Gwardzinski, and Grant and Jeana Marquardt as well as two great-grandchildren, Elijah and Ruby Smith, and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Alfred G. and Katherine R. Marquardt.

A life long resident of Delta Township, Fred was born on the farm his family held there for more than 100 years where he was dairy and crop farmer. He ran a dairy operation until 1988 and then continued to crop farm for the rest of his life.

Public service was important to him and he held many public offices including chair of the Eaton County Road Commission, as a member of the Tri-County Planning Commission and as member of the Delta Township Planning Commission.

He was a member of St. Gerard Parish where he enjoyed serving as usher. He was also an active member of the Eaton County Farm Bureau for more than 60 years.

The family would like to thank the ICU staff at McLaren Hospital Lansing for their wonderful care.

Services will be Friday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gerard Catholic Church in Lansing, 4437 W. Willow Hwy, Lansing. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a 8:00 P.M. Scriptural Rosary at Tiffany Funeral Home, 3232 W. Saginaw, Lansing. Viewing will be from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. Friday at church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests friends direct memorial contributions to Eaton County 4-H Council, 551 Courthouse Dr Suite 1, Charlotte, MI 48813 in memory of Fred Marquardt.

To leave messages of condolence, please visit www.tiffanyfuneralhome.com.