Elma Mae Marquardt Obituary in Ankeny at Memorial Services of Iowa

Obituary For Elma Mae Marquardt

Elma Mae Marquardt, 94, of Ankeny, passed away on September 12, 2025, at Rock Creek Senior Living in Ankeny, Iowa.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Ankeny Memorial Gardens. Family will greet friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM that day. The burial service will immediately follow the memorial service.

Elma was born on February 16, 1931, in Oketo, KS, to Nathan and Lessie (Devault) Olmsted. She was raised by her older sister and brother-in-law, James and Donna (Olmsted) Goins after her parents passed away in her childhood. Elma graduated from high school in Marysville, KS.

On January 28, 1950, Elma was married to Billy James Marquardt, and they were happily married for 59 years until his death in 2009. To this union, two children were born, Dan Charles Marquardt and Mary Ellen (Marquardt) Button. The family lived in Marysville, KS until 1966 when the family moved to Ankeny, Iowa.

Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Elma worked for years at Pat Brokerage in Des Moines, IA. She was an avid golfer and loved playing bridge. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family and many friends.

Elma is survived by her children, Dan Marquardt and Mary (Dan) Button; four grandchildren, Nathan (Lindsey) Button, Michael Button, Evan Marquardt and Nina Marquardt; and two great-grandchildren, Owen and Hayden Button.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Billy; her brothers, Wayne and Billie Olmsted; and sisters, Donna Goins and Nelda “Whitey” Goins. Her long-time companion in her last years, Don Pickering, also preceded her in death.

Elma’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Rock Creek Senior Living where Elma lived and received loving care and friendship during the almost two years she lived there.

Memorials may be made to Our Ladies Immaculate Heart Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

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