Janet Gail (Witt) Marquardt, 58, of Ames, passed away Wednesday, February 12, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines of stroke complications. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 17, at Columbia United Methodist Church in Columbia, IA. Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care 414 Lincoln Way in Ames and at the Columbia United Methodist Church an hour before service on Monday. Burial will be in the Columbia Cemetery.
Janet was born on July, 3, 1955, in Knoxville, IA. She was the oldest of two children born to Harlan and Roberta (Shepard) Witt. She married Darvin Marquardt on July 4, 1980, in Van Meter, IA.
Janet graduated from Albia High School in 1973, where she participated in Monroe County saddle club, band, and speech contests. She was a State of Iowa Scholar and volunteered considerable time as a library aid. Janet received her B.S. in Animal and Dairy Science at Iowa State University in 1977 where she first met her future husband on an Ag Travel trip to Europe in 1976. Janet would go on to complete her M.S. in Microbiology in 2001.
Janet worked at the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames for 33 years where she was better known as "Sissy." She was part of the Brucella and Mycobacteria Reagent Team (BMRT) in the Diagnostic Bacteriology Laboratory. Janet managed proficiency tests that were sent to state laboratories across the country. During her long career, Janet made many lifelong friends and was viewed as a kind and joyful soul by all.
Throughout Janet's entire life, she always enjoyed horses, dogs, and other animals. She was an avid reader and a lover of history, especially U-boats and the Civil War. She loved her family very much and especially enjoyed the time she got to spend with all four of her grandchildren.
Janet is survived by her husband, Darvin; three children, Ryan (Janice) Marquardt of Reasnor, Amanda (Greg) Wever of Ames, and Derick Marquardt of Denver, CO; her mother, Roberta Witt, of Chariton; brother, John Witt, of Aptos, CA; four grandchildren, Ada and Quinn Wever and Hazel and Zane Marquardt; three aunts, one uncle, two nephews and many cousins; as well as a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Harlan Witt in 2009, Uncle Kenneth Beebout in 2013, and Mother-in-Law Inez Marquardt in 2013.
Janet touched many lives in different ways, including as an organ donor. She was loved and will be missed by all.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Animal Rescue League of Central Iowa, the Columbia United Methodist Church, or to the discretion of the family.
On line condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Darvin & family:
It's hard to lose someone whose path you've crossed with a few times while on Earth. Janet and I were part of a few people who can claim attendance at a rural 2 room school house in Columbia. I attended ISU at the same time as Darvin and Janet and was a member of the 1976 Ag Travel Group which took us through Central Europe. The Lippizan stallions and breeding farm in Hungary were especially dear to Janet as an avid horse enthusiast.
I can't help but believe Janet, having been called from on high, is now caring for many dogs, cats, and horses in Gods animal section. It would not be a surprise to find Trigger, Buttercup, Mr. Ed, Flicka, Felix, Rin Tin Tin and Lassie under her loving care. As cartoon animal favorites of Janets childhood and others of that era; not a better caretaker would be found.
Janet will be missed greatly. May the many wonderful times and memories of her devotion to others and life itself sustain all through this time of losse.
To Darvin and family,
I was a college friend of Janet. She was the most "fun-loving" person I had ever met. I will never forget her famous "giggle" that she shared much of the time. She was a part of my wedding back in 1976. I have thought about her often and will continue to remember her as a friend. Sympathy to you and your family.
I have know Janet a long time as we were co workers and good friends. She showed me some "weird science" when I was a newbie, actually she showed me a lot. She loved to shop on our trip to Beyond Rubies. She will be very missed. Sickness has kept me away today but I will donate to the animal shelter here in Nevada in her name. A bright beautiful light went out Feb, 12 2014. I will always remember. You dear friend. God will take care of the ones left behind you rest in peace. I love you.
We both enjoyed working with Sissy for many years at USDA. Our deepest sympathy to her family.
Darvin & Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Marvin, You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Darvin and Children,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. May God comfort you.
Darvin & family,
Keeping all of you in our thoughts & prayers. Wishing rememberances of the good times to fill you hearts & strengthen you all.
Sissy, you came into my life when I needed a friend in the worst way, and stayed. You will be missed. Love you.
My first cousin, Janet was my horse-riding buddy during my entire childhood. There was nary a weekend that Janet and I did NOT go horseback riding in the Columbia area. That included those frigid cold winters. Janet was a gentle fun-loving soul who will be very much missed.
Sissy- you were an exceptional loving kind individual, and the most wonderful friend and mentor. I just want to let your family know how much you touched my life, and how much I admired your love for animals, your family, and your customers and co-workers here at BMRT. I will miss you dearly.
To the family of "Miss Sissy"- I will miss your special gal working in my hallway at the USDA. I'll miss the great late night conversations we had each week. We laughed a lot. We talked of our families-she was in love with her family. It was a great pleasure to call Sissy my friend. I promised her something a long time ago-and that has been done. You all will know what to do now. I know that there will be many Horse people; Dog people; Hoarder people; Movie people; Book Reading people and all the other "people" that she was, for her to enjoy in the next place. She believed in signs and I'm sure she will send us the signs and we'll think of her at those special times. We loved her and will miss her. HUGS and Prayers to you all at this difficult time in your lives without her. Know that she loved each and every one of you and especially LOVED, LOVED, LOVED being a Grandmother!
Visitation
Ames, IA 50010
Service
Columbia, Iowa 50057
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