Donald Eugene Marquart

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Donald E. Marquart, 87, of Renner, SD passed away Monday, June16, 2014 at Good Samaritan Center in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will begin at 10:30 AM Friday, June 20, 2014 at Renner Lutheran Church. Burial with military honors will be in East Nidaros Lutheran Cemetery, rural Baltic.

Visitation will begin at 3:00 PM with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday at Renner Lutheran Church.

Donald Eugene Marquart was born December 11, 1926 to Walter and Dora (Vogelsang) Marquart at the catholic hospital in Milbank, SD. They moved to a farm near Hancock, MN several weeks later where he grew up and attended grade school and high school.

Don was drafted into the US Army in November of 1950 and served until December of 1952. He was accepted into the 11th Airborne Division. He jumped 13 times and also served as a cook for his unit.
Don worked on the farm with his dad. In 1947 he and a friend went to California and drove truck at Orange Grove, CA until they ran out of work and money. He went back to the farm and then was hired by H. W. Ross Lumber Company at Hancock, MN, then was transferred as manager to Chester, SD. Don moved to Sioux Falls and worked for Jordan Millwork Company until his retirement in 1985. After retirement he remodeled several houses for friends.

Don married Barbara Brende May 20, 1967. They were married for 47 years. They lived in Sioux Falls for 30 years before moving to Renner in 1986.

Don started riding motorcycles at age 16. He learned by riding around the yard light pole at night until his dad would call out from the house to “shut that thing off!" He loved motorcycles and riding and was riding until a few years ago at the age of 84. In 1968 he was South Dakota Rider of the Year, riding 10,000 miles in one season. He claimed to have owned 36 Harleys and a few others. Don and Barbara rode together in the 48 states, into Canada and Nova Scotia. He also loved visiting with friends about their bikes and what the next bike would be. August was always time to go to the Sturgis Rally. He loved camping, riding the Hills and visiting with friends. Don and Barbara spent their winter months at Trophy Gardens in Alamo, TX for 17 years, enjoying the sunshine and meeting friends.

Don was a member of Renner Lutheran Church for many years, a charter member of Renner American Legion and a charter member of Sioux Falls Harley Owners Group.

Don is survived by his wife, Barbara, Renner, SD; nieces and nephews including Nancy (Wayne) Kaehler, Breckenridge, MN, Dean (Pam) Parisian, Alpharetta, GA, Shawn (Pierce) Wilson, Des Moines, IA, Scott (Sandy) Brende, Renner, SD, Shanna Brende, Kansas City, MO and Brett (Kelly) Brende, Kansas City, KS.