The FUNERAL SERVICE for Mr. Marquardt will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Prairie City, Missouri on Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.

The MINISTER for the service will be Pastor David Herald.

VISITATION will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Prairie City, on Thursday, January 9, 2014 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. prior to service.

A MILITARY GRAVESIDE service will be presented by the Missouri Honor Guard.

INTERMENT will be in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Prairie City, Missouri.

The family suggest MEMORIAL contributions may be made to The Lutheran Hour or Rett Syndrome.

Arnold Ernst Marquardt was born February 28, 1916 in Prairie City, Missouri. He was Baptized March 12, 1916 and Confirmed March 24, 1929, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Prairie City. He was united in marriage to Naomi Josephine Conrad on December 6, 1944. On January 5, 2014 he passed away in John Knox Hospice in Lee's Summit, Missouri.

Arnold was confident in his belief in God, ready to be with his Savior, and held firm to the hope of eternal life as promised by his risen Savior, Jesus Christ. His faith and family were his life's passion. Arnold attended Zion Lutheran School. Arnold farmed with his father and traveled west with close friends to work in potato and beet fields. He lived in California working in an aircraft factory building aircraft during the beginning of WWII. Arnold returned to Missouri and was drafted in 1942 after Pearl Harbor was bombed. He served his country in the Army Air Corps and flew 33 missions in the European theatre. Arnold was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters. He was a member of the 487th Bomb Group known as the "Gentlemen From Hell".

Arnold and Naomi enjoyed over 65 years of a happy and fulfilling life together. After living in California for a short period while Arnold completed his military service, they moved to Prairie City, Missouri where they made their home. Arnold and Naomi were blessed with seven children. Arnold and Naomi owned the Prairie City Cheese Company for over 30 years making cheddar cheese. He was proud that all his children worked with him at the factory. Arnold held various positions in the church, school and township. After retiring, he and Naomi enjoyed RVing and spending winter months in the Texas valley. Arnold enjoyed being with his family and was truly a man of many talents. He enjoyed golfing and fishing. In 2010, Countryside Estates/Appleton City Manor became his home and made many friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Naomi, his father and mother John and Emma (Fischer) Marquardt, brother Adolph and sister-in-law Josephine Marquardt, sister and brother-in-law Elda and Everett Bauer, brother-in-law Norman Rapp and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Louise and Oscar Wafel. He is survived by his children Donna (Michael) Scholtes of Raymore, MO; Deanna (Dale) Andersen of De Soto, KS; Deborah (Jon) Hoehne, St. Louis, MO; John Marquardt of Lee's Summit, MO; Mary (Lynn) Shoemaker of Yuma, AZ; Marsha (Wesley) Tippie of Harrisonville, MO; and Melissa (Timothy) Payne of Leavenworth, KS; 12 grandchildren, step-grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren, and sister Laura Rapp of Appleton City and many nephews, nieces and friends.