What was most prominent about Arthur Emerson Marquart, really, was his gentleness. He exuded this, and it was indeed one of the qualities that drew the vivacious and beautiful Dianna Amys to him as she accepted a ride home from a party over 57 years ago, a ride that led into a courtship that led to a wedding and then to the creation of a family of three girls. It was his kindness that would win the affection of Abby as she remembers his quiet support throughout her adolescent years. It was this patience that would lead him to respond so calmly to Anne when she called him one winter day to tell him that she'd crashed Grandma Shirley's Dodge Dart into a tree in Central Park. And it was this even-temperedness that would save Kris's life on a number of occasions when her mother's fury would rise up as she would come home after curfew, three sheets to the wind.
Arthur's sweetness came from his own mother. He was born on June 18th, 1929, in Tomah, Wisconsin, to Ted and Shirley Marquart. Growing up, he loved playing sports and scouting, earning the top honors of becoming an Eagle Scout. After graduating from high school in Perry, Iowa, Art attended Marquette University, receiving his Doctor of Dentistry and opening his own practice in Superior, Wisconsin, after serving two years in the Korean War. Some 30 years after his wedding day on July 12th, 1958, Art's first grandchildren would crawl into his dental chair. Gazing at him with adoring eyes, Jamie and Lindsay would one by one prop open their mouths, looking forward to the piece of candy Grandpa would hand them after gently counting their teeth. With the heart of a servant of Christ, every week, Art would drive to Middle River Health and Rehab center to offer his dental services to the residents there.
Art's commitment to doing good was evident in all of the activities to which he dedicated his time. Passionate about his career, he was a devoted member of the Wisconsin Dental Association, receiving the President's Award of Honor in 1996, while also active in the Duluth Dental Forum, serving as President from 1985-1986. Faith was always a focus in Art's life. He and Dianna were married at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Superior. At Pilgrim their girls were baptized, confirmed and married, and here Art served as the treasurer and president of church council numerous times.
Amidst these chosen responsibilities, Art also enthusiastically participated in certain social activities. Being a long time member of the Elks Club, Art would regularly join other men to play Poker, and sip a Pepsi while they sipped their whiskey. Some weekends he and Di would join other friends for dinner at the Elks club, these date nights being one part of the secret to their happy marriage. Aside from his family, one of his favorite pastimes was spending time at the bowling alley. Several times a week, Art would meet up with different leagues at different alleys, showing off fierce bowling skills while sporting his leagues' jerseys. Years later, his granddaughters would turn these bowling shirts into their favorite pajamas.
Whether in the office, at the bowling alley or gathered at his home with friends and family, what we also remember fondly about Art was his sense of humor, which he retained, even into years of dementia. This was another part of his successful marriage. It's difficult to stay irritated or mad at a man who could have you giggling, and then be chuckling right alongside you until that was all you could remember, that after years together, life was full of laughter.
We all have so many memories of laughing with Art, of attending sports games with Art, and of being loved by and loving Art. Those blue eyes, that smile and his sweet heart remains with us, now not in an earthly form, but a heavenly one. Grandpa Art, you are that star that sparkles so brightly in the clear night's sky, and you are our breath from heaven.
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