Mardean K. Struve (Marquardt)
January 8, 1923 — September 6, 2008
Mardean K. Struve, 85, of 4418 1st Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, September 6, 2008, at St. Luke’s Hospital, following a short illness. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements with Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids.
Survivors include a son, Craig of Vail, Colorado and Windermere, Florida.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Beth Marquardt; and her husband, Howard.
Mardean was born January 8, 1923, the daughter of Paul and Beth (Storey) Marquardt, in Dysart, Iowa. On July 24, 1943, she was united in marriage to Howard Struve. He died November 2, 1990. Mardean spent most of her life as a caregiver. She lived a humble life with dignity and grace. Mardean cared for her husband through 30 years of illness, never thinking of herself. She shared her home with her mother and cared for her as well. And through it all, she loved and nurtured her son. Mardean imparted a knowledge and wisdom of selfless compassion that was admired by all who knew her.
Other than her family, Mardean’s greatest love was the beauty of the Rocky Mountain West. She believed that a splashing stream, a meadow of wild flowers, the majesty of the mountains and a crisp clear blue Colorado sky all brought her closer to her creator. Mardean cherished her family and friends in the Midwest and loved her “second” Colorado family who made her feel so welcome.
She passed along a love, a spirit, and a legacy to her son that is as enduring as the craggy mountain peaks. Mardean will be terribly missed, but her memory will live forever.
“When passing through the doorways of life, people ask: Where are you from? I tell them from parents who care. I’ve been given life and set free. Thank you Mom and Dad for always loving me.”
Survivors include a son, Craig of Vail, Colorado and Windermere, Florida.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Beth Marquardt; and her husband, Howard.
Mardean was born January 8, 1923, the daughter of Paul and Beth (Storey) Marquardt, in Dysart, Iowa. On July 24, 1943, she was united in marriage to Howard Struve. He died November 2, 1990. Mardean spent most of her life as a caregiver. She lived a humble life with dignity and grace. Mardean cared for her husband through 30 years of illness, never thinking of herself. She shared her home with her mother and cared for her as well. And through it all, she loved and nurtured her son. Mardean imparted a knowledge and wisdom of selfless compassion that was admired by all who knew her.
Other than her family, Mardean’s greatest love was the beauty of the Rocky Mountain West. She believed that a splashing stream, a meadow of wild flowers, the majesty of the mountains and a crisp clear blue Colorado sky all brought her closer to her creator. Mardean cherished her family and friends in the Midwest and loved her “second” Colorado family who made her feel so welcome.
She passed along a love, a spirit, and a legacy to her son that is as enduring as the craggy mountain peaks. Mardean will be terribly missed, but her memory will live forever.
“When passing through the doorways of life, people ask: Where are you from? I tell them from parents who care. I’ve been given life and set free. Thank you Mom and Dad for always loving me.”
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mardean K. Struve (Marquardt), please visit our flower store.