Obituary of George Albert Marquardt

George Albert Marquardt was born in Unity, Saskatchewan on August 28, 1920 to William (from Wisconsin) & Caroline (from Belgium) Marquardt. His parents named him after two reigning monarchs: King George V of Great Britain and King Albert I of Belgium. George was the 2nd oldest of six children. He resided with his parents on their homestead near Artland, SK. George attended the Sherlock Lake School and helped his father farm until joining the R.C.A.F. in February 1942. He took his basic training at the Manning Depot in Brandon, Manitoba and his Technical Training in St. Thomas, Ontario. From there he was posted to the 3rd Service Flying Training School in Calgary. In March 1943, he was sent overseas on the Queen Elizabeth and was eventually posted to the 423rd R.C.A.F. Squadron at Castle Archdale in Northern Ireland, forming part of the Coastal Command defending Great Britain. He served as an airplane mechanic (often working over the water) on Sunderland flying boats until VE day of World War II. He returned home to his parent's farm and became a Fuller salesman for two years then purchased a farm south of his parent's homestead. Visiting the neighbour's farm one day, he encountered a charming, young lady who had been hired to help with housekeeping. He married Lillian on December 19, 1950. They had their first three children; Donna, George & Susan, and then relocated to Prospect Valley, north-east of Edgerton, AB where he continued farming. George and Lillian had two more children; Lorna & Denis, before moving into a new home. George was a member of the Wainwright Flying Club and often took the three oldest children up in the plane. He was a member of the Battle River Lutheran Church (Zion Lutheran Church), various farm organizations, local associations & clubs and, of course, the local Legion. He retired from farming, held an auction sale in 1984 and rented out the house and land. George and Lillian travelled across Canada and the United States in first a campervan and then a motor home. When age caught up with George and Lillian, they moved back onto the farm, eventually trading the motor home for a campervan. He started a collection of vintage model toy tractors and full size vintage vehicles to tinker with, as well as enjoyed long walks and bird watching. In 2004, George & Lillian sold the home quarter to daughter & son-in-law, Lorna & Rick Doolittle, and moved into the Centre Pointe Place Condominiums in Wainwright, AB. At this time they joined the Peace Lutheran Church. After the death of his beloved wife in 2009, George relocated to the Battle River Lodge. In 2015 he was transferred to the Mannville Care Centre where he passed away peacefully on March 27, 2017 at 96 years of age. George was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Lillian (2009); oldest brother, Bill (2006); two younger brothers, Alf (1969) & Ed (1944); and younger sister, Dorothy Smibert (2003). He leaves to mourn his passing, his younger sister, Esther (Ray) Cain of Burnaby, B.C.; children [grandchildren, {great-grandchildren}]; Donna Marquardt of St. Albert, George (Doreen) Marquardt of Calgary [Scott Marquardt of the world, Kyle Marquardt of Calgary], Susan Luthje (Glen Preston) of Lloydminster [Matthew (Realyn) Luthje {Kalilah} of Sherwood Park, Shelah Luthje, {Lilly, Violette, Jericho, Linkyn} of Lloydminster, Amy Luthje of Lloydminster], Lorna (Rick) Doolittle of Edgerton, Denis (Danika) Marquardt of Calgary [Katie Marquardt of Mandalay, Myanmar and Ben Marquardt of Slave Lake]; as well as many extended nieces and nephews. George's Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2017, 1:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church with interment to follow at Wainwright Cemetery officiated by Pastors Ron and Elaine Hobden. A luncheon will follow at Wainwright Golf Course Clubhouse. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in George's memory to Wainwright Cemetery Association, Mannville Patient Comfort Fund, your local Legion or Charity of your Choice.