Gertrude Paula Marquardt, 94, of Austin, died Monday morning, Feb. 21, 2011, at Prairie Manor Care Center.

Gertrude Lang and her twin brother were born in Omaha, Neb., Feb. 20, 1917. Her father was a Lutheran parochial school teacher and her mother an accomplished seamstress and dressmaker. In 1921, the family, including Gertrude and her three brothers, moved to Alma, Mo., and then in 1926 to Maplewood in St. Louis. It was in Maplewood that Gertrude graduated from high school in 1934 and completed her nursing degree in 1937. She met her future husband, Rudolph Marquardt, at Sunday dinners her mother provided for students from Concordia Seminary. They were married April 15, 1939, and moved to Pierre, S.D. where Rudy was a pastor. In 1941, Gert and Rudy moved to Deadwood, S.D. where they served the congregation of Grace Lutheran Church, in 1952 to Rapid City, S.D, to serve Zion Lutheran Church, and in 1962 to Austin, and Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Along the way they raised a family of three sons and one daughter. While in Rapid City, Gert resumed her career as a nurse and worked several night shifts a week in the Obstetrics Department. After moving to Austin she continued her career as an obstetrics nurse, working three nights a week in Austin Hospital. Gert was always the consummate pastorπs wife, quietly serving as organist, Sunday school teacher, choir director, participating in the Ladies Aid and other church organizations, helping out in the two schools her husband started, mothering her four children, but above all, nurturing her husband in his demanding role as pastor. Gert and Rudi celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary before his death in 2002.

Gertrude is survived by three sons, Jim, a clinical counselor and his wife Charlotte from Winchester, Va., Mick, a pastor and his wife Jody from Wenatchee, Wash., Mark, a physician and his wife Rebecca from Chapel Hill, N.C.; daughter, Arlis Clennon, a nurse and her husband Steve from Austin; 10 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church 11 a.m. Saturday, Interment is at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in her memory be sent to Holy Cross. Worlein Funeral Home, Austin, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.