Joyce Frances Marquardt

MADISON - Joyce Frances Marquardt, age 69, of Madison, Wis., passed away peacefully on June 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Joyce was born on July 15, 1955, in Thorp, Wis., the daughter of Walter and Genevieve (Deniszkiewicz) Pajak. She graduated from Thorp High School, class of 1973. She then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, class of 1981. Joyce married Andy Marquardt on June 26, 1982, in Thorp.

Throughout her career, Joyce worked at various hospitals and clinics as she and Andy moved to different locations around the country including, Charleston, S.C., Georgia, Knoxville, Tenn., San Luis Obispo, Calif., and others. Her last position was in the Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery Department at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, where she retired in 2024.

Growing up as a farmgirl Joyce was a tireless worker. She jumped in to help with lawn work, snow shoveling, gardening and anything else that needed tending to. Wherever she lived she always made her house a home inviting friends, family, coworkers, and friends of her children to be a part of it. Joyce was known for her warmth, compassion and infectious smile that could change a bad mood into good within minutes. She made friends easily everywhere she went with many of them becoming life-long friendships.

Joyce is survived by her husband of 43 years, Andy ; daughters, Nicole Marquardt (Quincy) Kimbrell and Sarah Elizabeth Marquardt; brothers, Joseph (Barbara) Pajak, John (Terry Ann) Pajak and Jim (Lori) Pajak; sisters, Teena (John) Badzinski, Jeannie (Gary) Seth, Joanne (Mike) Minahan, Janet (Robert) Wall, Jackie (Kevin) Tetzner and Julie (John) Cleveland; father-in-law, Merritt Marquardt; and sisters-in-law, Lisa (John) Murphy and Amy (Greg) Elmer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Genevieve; brother, Jerry Pajak; sister, Judy Pajak; and mother-in-law, Betty Marquardt.

A celebration of life service will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, with Pastor David Wrightsman presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church at: https://www.bethel-madison.org/give/pledge-donate-online/  or University of Wisconsin Medicine - specific to UW Health Transplant Center (drop-down menu) at: https://give.wiscmedicine.org/give/393214/#!/donation/checkout.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761