M.E. “Mark” Marquardt passed away October 31, 2016. All four of his children were by his side during the days of his passing at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie.
Mark was born in Merino, Colorado, July 25th, 1926. He was one of four children of Henry and Addie Marquardt. He lived in Colorado until he went into the Navy after high school. He had begun flight training, but was discharged shortly after WW2 came to an end. He graduated from the Colorado State University with a degree in Forestry. It was in Boulder, Colorado that he met Lois Lee LaRue, his future wife, through her sorority sister while he was home on leave from the Naval Air Corps. After that first date, Lois told her sorority sister “I’m going to marry that man.” They were married in Longmont in 1947.
After graduation from CSU, Mark went to work for the Colorado division of Kansas Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company where he worked in the Claims and Marketing departments. He was then hired to manage the newly formed Wyoming Farm Bureau Mutual Life Insurance Company in Laramie. At the time he was the youngest manager in the Farm Bureau Insurance organization. He took this very small company with less than $600,000 in assets with just a few employees to a nationally respected organization with over $120,000,000 in assets and several hundred employees. The Wyoming and Montana companies later merged and became a foundation for insurance for thousands of customers. During this time he completed his CLU designation and participated in many industry forums and garnered many industry awards.
Mark was an avid outdoorsman who loved fly-fishing adventures and hunting excursions with his children. He was able to cover his vast insurance territory as well as satisfy his passion for the outdoors by exercising his love of flying; he was an instrument-rated pilot with over 7,000 flight hours who owned several single and multi-engine airplanes and saw every corner of both Wyoming and Montana as he managed this far-flung territory.
Mark was also very active in the Laramie community – he was past president of the Laramie Chamber of Commerce, the Laramie Country Club, the Laramie Economic Development Council (board member emeritus), the Ivinson Memorial Hospital Foundation (board member emeritus), Brees Field Advisory Board, as well as a strong participant in many other civic and professional organizations. These include Secretary-Treasurer of the Wyoming Insurance Guarantee Association, member of the Board of Directors of First Wyoming Bank, Board of Directors of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, National Advisory Committee of American Agricultural Insurance Company and Advisory Council to Board of Directors, Western Agricultural Insurance Company.
His outdoor appreciation was further exemplified with his participation in golfing, tennis, skiing and running – he competed in numerous 10k races and several marathons in Wyoming, Arizona and California.
He loved his community and turned down several promotions and business opportunities so he could remain in Laramie with the friends and organizations he could continue to serve until the end.
Mark is survived by his children: Jim and his wife Debby of Chandler, Arizona and son Jonathan; Rob and his wife Tina of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and their children Blake, Quinn and Jared; Merilyn Sanchez of Chandler, Arizona, and her children Laurie and Randy,and great-grandchildren Skyler, Andrew, Colby and Brendan; and Laurie Westlake of Laramie, Wyoming, and her daughter Bryttni.
A celebration of life will be held Friday November 4 at 11:00 a. m. at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Pete Phillips and the Reverend Rhett Ivey officiating.
Memorials in his memory may be made to the Ivinson Memorial Hospital Foundation, 255 No. 30th Street, Laramie, WY 82072.
To the family of M.E.! My condolences to all you on your loss! M.E. made such a huge influence with everyone he came in contact with. So many lives were enriched by him serving on this earth. God Seed M.E. Ron Mischke
I was introduced to Mark by Col. Joe Sestak. Mark was a true community leader, a great man who was also a dedicated family man. I can attest to his fly-fishing ability. One evening we ran into each other fishing near Albany on a beautiful Wyoming evening. Mark with his fly rod and me casting my metal. He out fished me 10 to 1 but what I treasure most about that evening was our discussions that evening - what a wonderful mind! May Mark rest in peace. Dr. Robert A. Zawacki, Professor Emeritus University of Colorado
God Speed, Mark. You encouraged so many of us to believe we could be and achieve more than we would have believed. Thank you. Bless your family. You are all so special.
So sorry for the loss of Mr. Mark
Mark and Lois were treasured members of the Laramie community. Their love of family was expressed by their beautiful smiles as that family grew. May God be with you as you mourn Mark's death and may He provide you with comfort as He welcomes Mark home! The Kyritsis Family
My heart goes out to all the family and sending all of my prayers. Sherrie L Crabtree
Kind, respectful and A great man...I feel privileged to have known him.
Laurie, Our prayers are with you. I'm sure that your many treasured memories will help you at this time and in times to come. Kendall and Janet Corbett
Laurie, Jim, Rob, and Merilyn - Thank you for sharing your father with me. He held a very special place in my heart. I am saddened by his passing but know that he has joined Lois in a much better place. Although I am unable to be with you this week, please know I hold all of you in my thoughts and in my heart. May you all hold fast to each other and I wish you strength, compassion, and deep breaths as you continue through this journey. Richard and I send our deepest condolences but also bundles of joy as we remember Mark and his gracious, loving impact upon our lives.
Mark, through his good efforts, turned Mountain West Mutual Insurance Company as a force to be reckoned with. In addition, he was fully supportive of the Farm Bureau Federation, and it was a joy two work with both companies. Mark was a fine man, outgoing, supportive of Laramie and the State of Wyoming. He will be missed because he contributed so much. Most sincerely, John
Condolences to the entire Marquardt family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you celebrate his happy and successful life here; and his reuniting with Lois.
Dear Marquardt Family: Our prayers and love are with you all. Stephan and Kay Pappas & Family
Laurie, loves of love and prayers to you and you family!
We are so saddened to hear about your father's passing. Please know that we are keeping you in our hearts and prayers. Dan and Carol Schwartz
Not only a good man, but a very good pilot. Flew with Mark several times. He will be missed.