Ronald Marquardt

Ronald Marquardt, 91, of Canistota, SD passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025 at Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls, SD. A funeral service will begin at 10:30 am on Monday, October 27, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Canistota. Visitation will be from 4-6 pm on Sunday, October 26, 2025 with a 5 pm prayer service at Kinzley Funeral Home in Salem.

Ronald Marquardt was born on July 1, 1934 to Otto and Emma (Gosch) Marquardt in Sioux Falls, SD and grew up on a farm in the Canistota area. He graduated from Canistota High School. He then served his country in the US Army after the end of the Korean War.

On March 13, 1960 he married Kathy Huber at St. Peter's Lutheran Church near Emery, SD. They began farming six miles northeast of Canistota in 1960 and continued there until they retired and moved into Canistota in 2004. They were longtime members and past officers of the Swingsters Square Dance Club of Montrose.

Ron was a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Canistota where he served on church council and as a trustee. He was in the church choir with Kathy and they provided the music for many funerals and weddings.

Kathy and Ron began playing for dances in 1968 and over the years their boys joined them and they played together until 1991. They were inducted into the SD Legends of Country Music in 2011.

Ron is survived by: his children, Mike (Shelly), Steve (Diane), Karen (Ferlyn) Hofer, and Scott (Amanda) all of Canistota; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Leonard Marquardt; 2 sisters-in-law, Dorothy Marquardt and Mildred Corey and many nieces and nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and 3 brothers, Elvin, Harold and Martin.