Joan Marquardt

Joan N. (Asselin) Marquardt, 91, of Duluth, formerly of Wadena and Staples, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2016.  Joan was born on June 5, 1925 in Staples, Minnesota to Charles and Lyndall (Waldron) Asselin.

Joan attended Sacred Heart School, Staples High School and Area Vocational Defense School. She worked for Kenworth Truck Corp. in Seattle, WA and for Seiger Refrigeration in St. Paul, MN as a riveter during World War II.  She married George Marquardt on June 23, 1946 and raised five children.  She was an avid bridge player and traveler, fulfilling her wish of traveling to all 50 states in 1993.

Joan’s greatest joys in life were her children.  She found great joy, pride and satisfaction in the accomplishments of her children and their families.  Along with husband, George, Joan shaped and nurtured their children, was always supportive of their endeavors and loved them all deeply and without reservation - even when their behavior was less than what was considered acceptable.  It is her unconditional love that will be remembered most by her family.

Joan was a member of the Christian Mothers, the VFW Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary, the National MS Society, the Arrowhead Epilepsy League, the Newcomers Alumni, Staples Historical Society, several singles clubs and bridge clubs and the Duluth Dollies.

She was preceded in death by husband, George, sons, Gregg and Brian, her parents, 3 sisters, Eileen Carpenter, Jeanne Whitney and DeVere Hunter.  She is survived by sons Chuck (Carol) Marquardt of West Branch, Michigan, Mark (Debbie) Marquardt of Lapeer, Michigan, daughter Kristie (Ken) Lindstrom of Duluth, daughter-in-law, Wanda Marquardt of Duluth, 10 grandchildren, Tracy Marquardt, Mike (Sue) Marquardt, Chuck Jr. (Meredith) Marquardt, Denise Ozdemir (Jeff Plunkett), Jeremy Glasser, Kim Glasser, Paula (Milo) Swenson, Kyle Lindstrom, Kory (Heather) Lindstrom and Katie (Zach) Thayer, 8 great-grandchildren, 4 great, great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of the Benedictine Health Center, Marywood Assisted Living and Essentia Hospice Care.  Services will be held at a future date.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, 727-3555.