George L. Marquardt

Elwood, Nebraska George L. Marquardt, age 88, of Elwood, Nebraska passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at his home. He was born on February 20, 1928, to John Henry and Anna (Foss) Marquardt, southwest of Elwood, Nebraska with George Clark the attending doctor. George grew up on the family farm southwest of Elwood 7 miles. He attended school at District #56 until the 6th grade and then went to parochial school at Salem Lutheran where he finished the 8th grade. After graduation from 8th grade he continued to work on the family farm and help neighbors pick corn and thrash wheat. George was drafted into the Army on July 19, 1951 and went to basic training at Fort Belvoir, Virginia where he trained to be a combat engineer. He sailed from Seattle, Washington on January 17, 1952 on the USNS Sgt. Sylvester Antolak and docked at Yokohama, Japan. He arrived in Korea on February 29, 1952. He rose through the ranks from private to sergeant 1st class. The primary duties he performed was cutting roads and taking up mine fields. He served with Company B 378th combat engineers the entire time he was overseas. On June 12th of 1953 on the USS General RL Howze and reached Seattle, Washington on June 26, 1953. He was honorably discharged at Fort Carson, Colorado on July 3, 1953. On July 4 he arrived home safe and sound. After his time in the service he farmed and raised cattle on his own. He also worked for Elmer VonLoh for 5 years and then went to work for the State of Nebraska with the department of roads in 1966. In 1979, he went to work for Sperry New Holland in Lexington, Nebraska for 4 years until the plant closed making TR75 and TR85 combines. In 1984, he went to work for Rodney Schroeder for about 5 years. Then in 1990, he went to work for Nebraska State Game and Parks at Johnson Lake where his primary job was mowing. George officially retired in 1992, but still managed to cut cedar trees for area farmers and maintain the family farm. George met the love of his life, Teressa Jane Hampton, in 1963 by mutual acquaintances. On May 23, 1965, they were united in marriage at the Hershey Methodist Church, in Hershey, Nebraska. They remodeled houses, farmed, bought and sold yearling cattle together. In 1975 and 1976, they built their dream home in Elwood and were both very proud of having it paid off within 4 years; the last payment almost made their banker swallow his cigar. To this marriage two sons were born, George Jr. was born on September 27, 1979 and Johan on February 19, 1981. He was rather proud of being a father at the age of 55 and being called “Fire in the Furnace” by many of the people at Sperry New Holland. George is survived by his sons; George Marquardt Jr. of Oxford, Nebraska, Johan and wife Christina Marquardt of Tribune, Kansas, Grandchildren: James, Anna, and Emily Marquardt. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Teressa, his mother and wife both died on April 4, one in 2014 and one in 1944, sister Mabel in 1969, sister Wilma in 1981, and brother Orvin in 2005 and his wife in April of 2014. Condolences and personal reflections may be left at elwoodfuneralhome.com. Viewing & visitation will be Thursday, January 12, 2017 from 3 PM till 7 PM at Elwood Funeral Home in Elwood, Nebraska and prior to the services at the church. Funeral services will be Friday, January 13, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood, Nebraska with Pastor Michael Wolff, officiating. Interment will be at the Elwood Cemetery at Elwood, Nebraska. Elwood Funeral Home of Elwood, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.