Obituary of Raymond Marquart

Raymond Marquart

May 28, 1943  ~ October 21, 2025

Raymond was born in Castor, Alberta on May 28, 1943 to parents Adolph and Olga Marquart. He was raised on a farm east of Castor with two older brothers, Edward and Richard. He attended Castor School and then he entered into the work force that led him to apprentice in the field of autobody mechanics. Work led him to Bashaw, where he met the love of his life, Beverley Poffenroth, and they were married in Edmonton on December 30, 1966.

While living in Edmonton, they were blessed with a son, Kelly, born on May 4, 1967. Around 1970, Raymond and Beverley moved back to Castor and lived on his brother Edward’s farm where he did Autobody work and farmed. They purchased the Shamber’s farm adjacent to the Marquart’s homestead and built a new home.

Raymond enjoyed many careers: farming, autobody, sports shop, selling steel, and building grain bins and Quonsets for many customers throughout Alberta. Raymond also obtained his pilot’s license and experimented with flying airplanes for a few years.

Their family grew with the marriage of Kelly to Tammy in 1991, and then becoming a very proud grandfather to Karlee in 1994 and Ryan in 1996.

In 2000, Ray and Kelly started The Body Farm, Kelly told Ray what a body farm was and he replied that “I live on a far and we do body-work,” and insisted on that name. They worked together for six years and every time he saw a vehicle that they had finished, it always made him so proud.

In 2006, Ray and Bev decided to sell the farm and build a home Castor. Not ready to fully retire, they built another autobody shop downtown.

Ray and Bev very much looked forward to escaping the cold weather and heading south, seeing many new locations, meeting up with old friends and making new ones. It didn’t matter where they were, he was always thinking about his family and picking up souvenirs. He could not wait to get back and spoil Karlee and Ryan. He would tell them lengthy stories about where the gifts were purchased. Karlee and Ryan tried to teach grandpa how to FaceTime but unfortunately, he couldn’t make it work and always somehow disconnected the call.

Raymond was involved in many community events and service clubs such as Legion, Lions, Kinsmen and several others. He was especially proud of purchasing Kelly’s 1^st guitar and supporting him through many musical endeavors. He also enjoyed the many years of being on stage for Castor Little Theatre, practicing his lines and going to rehearsals. Other proud moments were when Karlee graduated from nursing as an LPN and mentoring Ryan as an autobody technician.

Raymond loved meeting and socializing with everyone he came into contact with, which sometimes made us late for events, but it never bothered him if he made a new friend, which was another one of his greatest qualities.

In 2019, Karlee married Blaine Hawthorne and to this union arrived two great-grandchildren: Spencer in 2021 and Kary in 2024. He couldn’t wait to see them with treats in his pockets and the biggest smile on his face. Raymond cherished his time with friends, neighbours and family.Ray is survived by his loving wife Beverley; son Kelly (Tammy) Marquart; grandchildren Karlee (Blaine) Hawthorne and Ryan Marquart;great grandchildren Spencer and Kary Hawthorne;  sisters-in-law Erma Marquart, Sharon (Murray) Schultz, Laurie Benfeldand Dawn Poffenroth; brother-in-law Gerald (Valarie) Poffenroth; numerous nieces, nephews other family and friends.

He is predeceased by his parents Olga and Adolf Marquart; brothers Edward (Olga) Marquart and Richard Marquart; parents-in-law Clara and Edward Poffenroth and brother-in-law Reg Benfeld.

Celebration Of Life

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

1:00 P.M.

Castor Community Hall, Castor, Alberta

Memorial donations may be made to the Castor Legion, Castor FCSS, Castor Community Hall or charity of choice.