Betty Lou Marquardt

I won’t remain in this body forever. One day I will receive a new body that will never grow old. I’m excited for that day.

Betty Lou Marquardt went to Heaven November 5, 2022, at St. Mary’s hospital in Walla Walla, Washington with all her family beside her, one via face time. She was 86.

A Celebration of Life will be 10:30 am Saturday Dec. 3, 2022 at the Heppner Christian Church in Heppner. Graveside service will follow at the Lexington Cemetery with a reception at the Gilliam & Bisbee Building in Heppner.

Betty was born March 20, 1936 in Condon, Oregon to Truman and Leita Messenger. She was the fourth child out of six. The family moved to Meacham when she was a toddler. In 1942 the family was transferred to Lexington where Betty began first grade and continued through high school graduating from Lexington High School in 1954. Betty Learned to play the piano and clarinet early in her childhood years. She read music as well as playing a tune just by hearing it. She was naturally talented and gifted with her ear for music. During her high school years she was the pianist for the Christian Church in Lexington. It was at church she met and fell in love with Carl Marquardt. The couple married in Lexington June 12, 1954 and made their home on the Charles A. Marquardt ranch. In 1960 the family built a ranch home on Marquardt Road (Juniper Canyon Road) which is where Betty has resided ever since. They were only married 27 years before Carl passed away in 1981.

There were several times when friends would stop by the ranch, Betty would play the piano or someone else on the piano while Betty played the accordion, Carl on the guitar or harmonica, and the girls would join in a sing-along. The Marquardt house was always full of music. Her music talent was a gift from God. Betty loved playing the piano and organ for the worship service at the Heppner Christian Church. She was the pianist and organist for over 50 years, up until the time of her death. She never wavered in her faith in God and the teachings of the Bible.

Betty worked at home raising their family of seven daughters and one son until the mid-70’s when she went to work for Pioneer Memorial Hospital as a nurse’s aide. While employed with the hospital she was asked to go to work for the Morrow County Health Department until she retired in 1998. Betty took great pride and joy in attending her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s sporting events and other activities. Betty loved serenading all the kids on the piano, quietly singing to them or reading them a book.

In addition to raising her family and helping on the ranch Betty found time to give piano lessons to some of the nieces and nephews, sew for the family, crotchet and do ceramics.

She was a member of the Heppner Christian Church in Heppner, Gideons Hermiston Chapter, Lexington Grange and Oregon Wheat Growers League.

She is survived by a sister Rena Marquardt, Lexington, her children Carlita Bloodsworth (Jim), Jim Marquardt (Darlene), Lolita Grace (Clay), Joyce Hughes, Sheree Smith, Debbie Miller (Ray), Pam Piper (Dave) and Jana Julian, 25 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Carl Marquardt, parents Truman and Leita Messenger, brothers Truman Jr. Messenger, Franklin Messenger, Gerry Messenger and Caroll Messenger, grandson Kasey Bloodsworth and granddaughter Karissa Bloodsworth.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Heppner Christian Church, PO Box 158, 293 Gale Street, Heppner, OR 97836.

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