Jerome A. Marquardt, age 79, went to be with our Lord on March 20, 2021. He passed
peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 26, 1941 in
Cascade, WI to Fritz and Helen (Conrad) Marquardt down the road from where he would
dedicate his life to his family and farming, just west of Cascade, WI. Throughout his childhood,
Jerome took his roles as son and brother seriously, yet always with a sense of humor. Jerome
was drafted into the United States Army in January 1964 to serve his country in the Vietnam
War until January 1966. During this time, Jerome sent his money home to be saved in order to
purchase the family farm. Upon returning home, Jerome began his career as a farmer raising
steers and pigs while also working at Wierman & Louret in Waldo, WI as a mechanic and truck
driver.
He met the love of his life, Karen Ann Hempelman, while dancing away at Belgium Community
Center on January 25, 1969; it was love at first sight. On Valentine’s Day, Jerome and Karen
picked out their wedding rings and got engaged. They were married in May of 1969 at St. Paul’s
Lutheran Church in Thorp, WI, followed by a short honeymoon to upper Michigan. Jerome and
Karen continued dairy farming on the homestead. He was a life-long member of St. Paul’s
Lutheran Church in Cascade where he enjoyed the fellowship of friends and neighbors as he
and Karen grew in their faith together.
When his children were growing up, he loved to play ball and go fishing with them after milking
was done for the day. They also made great memories playing 500 Rummy, Spades, Yahtzee,
and making puzzles together as a family. Sunday afternoons were dedicated to playing board
games and eating chicken dinners.
Later in life, his grandchildren became his pride and joy. He supported them in all sporting
events, plays, musicals, and everything they loved to do. Jerome taught them Sheepshead and
many other card games as well as how to dance the Polka. From caring for them while they
stayed home sick from school, to loving them when they needed him most, he was there.
Jerome is survived by his loving wife of 52 years: Karen; daughters; Debbie (Brian) Birenbaum,
Connie (Dale) Birenbaum; son; Joel (special friend Elizabeth) Marquardt and grandchildren;
Ashley (Andrew) Coop, Michael (fiancé Emily), Megan and Sarah Birenbaum, Allyssa (Jake)
Miller, Zachary, Owen, and Joshua Birenbaum, Madeline, Joel, and Jack Marquardt; siblings;
Audrey (Gus) Johnson, Elroy (Suzanne) Marquardt, Shirley Raeder, Gerald Marquardt, Karen
Goetsch; sister-in-law; Karen E. Marquardt. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other
relatives, and friends.
Jerome was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law; siblings; Lorraine, Fritz,
and infant sister Carol; in-laws; Thomas (Shirley) Hempelman, Beverly (Jerome) Neisius and
Roger Goetsch.
Visitation will be held at the Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth on Friday (March 26, 2021) from
12:00 noon until the time of services. Funeral services will be held on Friday (March 26, 2021)
at 3:00 P.M. at the Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth. Rev. Richard Bidinger, pastor of St.
Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cascade will officiate. Interment will be at St. Paul’s Cemetery in
Cascade.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Jerome’s name.
The Ambelang -Ebelt- Lau Cascade American Legion Post # 386 and the Plymouth VFW World
Cheese Center Post #5612 will conduct military rites at the gravesite following the services.
The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Plymouth is serving the family. For
online condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.
Jerome’s family would like to thank Sharon S. Richardson Hospice for the wonderful care they
provided in the final days of his earthly life and to Dr. Afamefrankuna and Dr. Bettag. We also
thank Pastor Richard Bidinger of St. Paul’s Cascade for his caring and comforting words which
he shared shortly before Jerome’s passing.
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