Irene "Rena" Marquette

Irene “Rena” Marquette, age 88, of Iron River, MI, passed away Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at the Iron River Care Center. She was born on September 27, 1928 in Stambaugh, Michigan, the daughter of the late Peter and Adeline (Antoniazzi) Nardi. She attended the Stambaugh Schools, graduating with the Class of 1946. Rena married Wallace “Wally” R. Marquette on September 30, 1950 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gaastra, and the couple celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 2000. Wally preceded her in death on March 19, 2005. She was employed at the Ben Franklin Store, later known as Wardo’s, for over 32 years. Rena was a member of St Cecilia Catholic Church of Caspian, St. Anne’s Society, the Altar Society, the Italian Ladies, and American Legion Reino Post #21 Auxiliary, where she was a former Treasurer. She also served as her Class Reunion Treasurer. She enjoyed volunteering at church, reading, doing word search puzzles, going out to eat, and visiting with family and friends. Rena is survived by her daughters, Marge (John) Gendzwill of Iron River, Marsha (Mike) Gursky of Iron River, and Mary Marquette of Grand Forks, ND; brother, Bruno Nardi of Rio Vista, CA; sister, Eileen Dean of Ottawa, IL; sister-in-law, Shirley Nardi of Marquette, MI; grandchildren, Michael Marquette, Tommy Gendzwill, Cheryl Masnova, Jessie Stapleton, Matthew, Scott and Krystal Fashingbauer; four great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Louie, Robert, and Reno Nardi, and sister Bruna Ahlberg. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral Services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Caspian, with Rev. Gregory Veneklase to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Irene "Rena" Marquette, please visit our flower store.