Colleen Mainquist

FAMILY WILL BE RECEIVING FRIENDS FROM 6PM TO 8PM FRIDAY AT THE FUNERAL HOME.

MEMORIALS MAY BE MADE TO THE ADA CEMETERY FOR DIRECTORY MAINTENANCE.

Colleen Louise Von Loh Marquardt was born on February 20, 1940 at Bertrand, Nebraska and raised by her parents, Orvin and Lorena Marquardt. She passed away August 15, 2017 at the Belleville Health Care Center, Belleville, Kansas.

She attended a country school north of Bertrand and graduated from Bertrand High School with the Class of 1957. She attended college at St. John’s, Winfield, Kansas and graduated from Bethany College at Lindsborg, Kansas. She taught business classes at Cuba High School from 1962-64 where she made life-long friends.

Colleen and Robert Mainquist were married on June 7, 1964 at the Ada Lutheran Church. They were blessed with three daughters, Melanie, Darla and Jennifer whom they raised on the family farm south of Courtland.

Through the years Colleen was active in the Ada Lutheran Church with Altar Guild, WELCA and Swedish Suppers.  She opened her home for tying quilts for Lutheran World Relief.  She served as a Girl Scout leader and supported her husband with Belleville FFA banquets which are still remembered. For 34 years you would find her on a Friday working in the office at the sale barn in Belleville. Colleen was a member of WIFE (Women in Farm Economics) and made several trips to Washington, D.C. and she was the editor of the National WIFE line publication.

In 1982 she began working at The Courtland Journal. She and Robert purchased the paper in 1990 and her signature column, Notes from CLM, was always enjoyed by the readers. Colleen’s presence on Main Street will be missed by the community she supported. Colleen had a smile for everyone, her kindness was never ending and she was always a good sport. When something needed organized you could count on Colleen to “take charge.”

Colleen loved attending her children and grandchildren’s events and was able to spend time in her daughters’ homes with their families. She held her great-granddaughter the day after she was born on her last trip to Minnesota. She was considered mom and grandma by more than just her own family.

Over the years Colleen helped care for her parents, in-laws and neighbors to give them as much independence as possible. There was always room for one more at the dining room table for every holiday. Colleen, along with four friends, compiled and edited the Courtland History Book and she completed several genealogy books. She enjoyed spending Sunday afternoons with her quilting friends.

Colleen was proceeded in death by her parents. She will forever be loved and remembered by her husband Robert; daughters, Melanie (Ray) Mainquist Ludowese, Mora, Minnesota, Darla (Joe) Harbert, Kingman, Kansas, Jennifer (Troy) Richardson, Eureka, Kansas; Grandchildren, Abigail Harbert, Katelyn Harbert, McKenna Richardson, Braden Harbert and Michael Harbert along with Zach (Jenna) Ludowese and Emily (Pat) Pitman; Great-granddaughter, Hailey Ludowese.

Memorials to the Ada Lutheran Cemetery will be designated for the maintenance of the Directory which Colleen helped establish.

The family will receive friends for a visitation 6:00pm to 8:00pm Friday, August 18 at the Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville and services will be held at Ada Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 11:00a.m with The Reverend Thomas Kamprath officiating. Interment will be at the Ada Lutheran Cemetery, rural Courtland, Kansas.