Francis "Frank" Gustav Marquardt, age 75, longtime Brush resident, died Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at the home of his daughter, Lisa, in Firestone, Colorado. Frank was born on February 8, 1941 to Ehrhardt Gustav "Jim" and Viola (Shane) Marquardt. He was born at his parents' home in Fairmont, Minnesota during a blizzard. He grew up in Fairmont, excelled in the sports of tennis and basketball, and graduated from Fairmont High School in 1959. Frank served in the US Army-Special Forces from 1960 - 1963 and was a Vietnam Veteran. Upon returning to Minnesota, he attended Mankato State College and graduated in 1968. He taught elementary school in St. James and New Ulm. He married Barbara Kathleen Larsen on August 5, 1967 at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont, Minnesota. They lived in Madelia for six years before moving to Colorado. He was a building contractor for several years until he began working for Wickes Lumber as the assistant manager in Boulder, then as the manager at the Ft. Collins lumber store. Frank, Barbara and their three children moved from Longmont to Brush in 1982, where they operated Frank's Hardware Store for three years. In 1986, Frank and Barbara both returned to their teaching professions. Frank taught at both Sherman and Pioneer Elementary Schools in Ft. Morgan, and retired in 2011 after 28 years of teaching. He was a masterful, dedicated and inspiring teacher. Frank was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brush. He was also a member and past master of the Masonic Lodge AF and AM 123 and the Brush Chamber of Commerce. It was during his tenure with the Chamber of Commerce that they started the first Oktoberfest in Brush. Frank enjoyed bowling and was in leagues in Ft. Morgan, Brush and Sterling. He also played golf, liked to fish, and did woodworking in his spare time. He enjoyed helping friends and family with their remodeling jobs as well. Survivors include his wife, Barbara, of Brush, daughters, Tara Christensen (Christopher) of Sultan, Washington, and Lisa Marquardt (Jared Carter) of Firestone, Colorado, son, Michael Marquardt (Holly Petaja) of Marysville, Washington, one brother, Dr. James Marquardt (Joni) of Boulder, Colorado, one sister, Sandra Koenigs (Jerry) of McIntire, Iowa, two sisters-in-law, Christine Braden (Ralph) of Kamiah, Idaho, and Jo Anne Hackett (Michael) of Faribault, Minnesota, two brothers-in-law, John Larsen (Diane) of Fairmont, Minnesota, Randall Larsen (Diane) of Hilton Head, South Carolina, and five grandchildren, Ava, Sawyer and Gavin Christensen, and Joss and Julian Marquardt, other relatives and many good friends. Frank was preceded in death by his parents. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brush. Frank will be laid to rest at Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont, Minnesota.