Bertha "Fran" or "Toots" Marquardt

Bertha “Fran” or “Toots” Frances Marquardt, 95, of Red Wing, died on Saturday, December 26, 2020, at the Benedictine Living Community in Red Wing, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Turtle Lake, WI on March 27, 1925, to Albert and Minnie (Bentz) Gehrman. She attended rural schools in Turtle Lake. For few years she was a maid in the Turtle Lake area. On August 11, 1943, Bertha was united in marriage to Ralph Marquardt. They lived in Massachusetts and Kentucky before moving back to Turtle Lake. During the 1950’s they lived in Luck, WI, Amery, WI and St. Paul Park, MN before making their home in Trimbelle Township in 1959. Bertha worked for 20 years at Smead Manufacturing Co. in Hastings, MN. Ralph died in 1993.  She enjoyed flowers, gardening, baking, and quilting. She was a member of the Bay City American Legion Harding-Hall-Darrington Post 357 Auxillary.

She is survived by two sons, Ralph of Centreville, MD and Robert (Cyndi) of Hager City, WI; three daughters, Connie (Keith) Lemmerman, Patricia (Mike) Newman, and Judy Truax, all of Red Wing; daughter-in-law, Susan Marquardt of Almena, WI; 18 grandchildren; many great and great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, June Helin of Amery, WI, Betty McDaniel of Ramsey, MN, and Jane Moelter of Cornell, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ralph; son, John Marquardt; daughter-in-law, Becky Marquardt; granddaughter, Bobbi Jo Marquardt; two great-grandsons, Brandon DeMotts and River Heaser; and seven brothers, Edgar, Albert Jr., Ivan, Lyle, Milton, Donald, and Norman Gehrman.

A private family service will be held.   Public visitation will be from 2 until 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing. Masks and social distancing are required. Burial will be at Diamond Bluff Cemetery.   Memorials are preferred to donor's choice.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.