Mardorf, Wilhelm 'Bill'

Wilhelm “Bill” Mardorf, 96, died peacefully Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at Pennington Square in Monticello. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Monticello, with interment at Oakwood Cemetery. The Rev. Ellery Dykeman will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 4 until 8 p.m. Monday at Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Surviving are three children, Nancy Marsh, Suzanne (Dennis) Joslyn of Monticello and Gary (Linda) Mardorf of Henderson, Nev.; five grandchildren, Cindy Marsh of Clinton, Lisa Marsh Ross of DeWitt, Sonya Joslyn (Jim) Grant of Vacaville, Calif., Lon Joslyn of LaFayette, Ind., and Chad Mardorf of San Francisco, Calif.; five great-grandchildren, Tasha Ross of Fulton, Ill., Kristina (Mike) Wade of Vacaville, Calif., Samantha Grant of Woodland, Calif., Katlynn Joslyn of LaFayette, Ind., and Melissa Burmeister of DeWitt; and two great-great-grandchildren, Hailey Wade of Vacaville, Calif., and Michael VanDamme of Fulton, Ill.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Katie; a granddaughter, DeeAnn Marsh; a son-in-law, Robert Marsh; three brothers, George, Gerhard and Carl; and a sister, Anna Peters.

Wilhelm Mardorf was born April 19, 1916, in Lovell Township, Jones County, Iowa, the son of Conrad and Jessie Grace Marie (Ahlrichs) Mardorf. Bill received his education at Lovell Township School No. 9. Bill and Katie were united in marriage at St. Matthew Lutheran Church on Dec. 14, 1938. The couple bought their farm in Castle Grove that year and farmed together until retiring to Monticello in 1978. Bill then worked at Oakwood Cemetery for six years.

Bill was a lifelong member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. He was baptized on May 21, 1916, and confirmed his faith on April 13, 1930. He loved to garden and was still gardening until two years ago. He would always plant his potatoes on Good Friday. Bill was a member of the Monticello Lions Club. He enjoyed going to Darrells and Hardees for coffee with friends in the morning. Bill and Katie enjoyed going to dances, playing cards, and attending the many activities of their children.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at goettschonline.com.

Published March 31, 2013 in The Gazette