Obituary of Hazel J. Marquardt

Hazel Jean Marquardt (89) long time St. Maries area resident, died March 9, 2011 at St. Maries, Idaho. She was born March 25, 2011 to Samuel and Emily (Young) Olsen in Valley View, near Polson, MT. She attended a country school (which still stands today) in Valley View. The family moved to Polson, MT in 1936. She traveled to St. Maries by train to visit a cousin, Mildred Bauska and Rueben came to meet the train. Hazel and Reuben were married at the Hitching Post in Coeur d' Alene on April 23, 1943 and moved to the Benewah Valley were Reuben built them a new home. They raised their four children out in the Benewah Valley. After their children were grown, they bought a house and moved to St. Maries in 1968. Hazel was a homemaker most all of her life. She worked at Edwards Mill on the mill pond sorting logs. She enjoyed fishing and working with her roses. Out in the Benewah, she would cut down Christmas trees and take them to Spokane to sell so she could give Christmas presents to her children. After moving to St. Maries, she worked at Benewah Community Hospital as a cook. She was an avid Gonzaga Basketball fan and attended two games in Spokane. She also loved to go to yard sales and look for antiques which she furnished her home with. She was a member of the Benewah Home Demonstration Club. She was also active in Benewah 4-H Club when her children were young. Her husband died in 2004 She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and attended worship services at the St. Maries Church of the Nazarene. She is survived by her son and daughter in law Edgar and Lynne Marquardt, and daughters and sons-in-law Bonnie and Ralph Port, Connie and Ken Mueller and Helen and Jim Crane all of St. Maries, ID. Also surviving are sister Flora Thompson of Polson, MT and 10 grandchildren 3 step-grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by great grandaughter Leah Thill, brothers Samuel Olsen Jr. and Wallace Olsen as well as sisters Helen Olsen, Julia Peck, Elnora Harrison and Mabel Jennison. A memorial service was held on Saturday March 12, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. At the St. Maries Nazarene Church with Pastor Dan Swan officiating. Refreshements will follow the services.. The family suggests memorial to BetterCare c/o Benewah Comm. Hospital 229 S. 7th St. Maries, ID 83861. Visit her online memorial at www.hodgefuneralhome.com. Read Hazel Marquardt's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.