Violet D. Marquette, 79, West Union, Iowa, died Monday, January 25, 2010, at her home following a long illness. Violet was born on May 25, 1930, in Auburn Township, Iowa, to Andrew and Lyla (Dueland) Stensland. She graduated from West Union High School, West Union, Iowa, with the class of 1948.

Violet was united in marriage to Leo Wayne Marquette on October 17, 1954, at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, West Union, Iowa. Five children were born to this union. Violet worked for the telephone company in West Union, Iowa, for a brief time. The majority of her married life, she worked alongside Wayne on the farm until moving to town in 2005. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in West Union, Iowa, at the time of her death. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Wayne Marquette, West Union; five children, Robin Marquette, West Union, Julie Everett, Decorah, Jill (Jim) Lynch, Iowa City, Todd (Cindy) Marquette, St. Louis, MO, Wade "Scott" Marquette, Clermont; two brothers, Lennie Stensland, West Union, Floyd (Arleta) Stensland, Eldorado and eight grandchildren, Karen McGill, Connie Everett, Kathy Everett, Andie Lynch, Claire Lynch, Tyler Marquette, Ryan Marquette and Mel Marquette.

Violet was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Lyla Stensland and one sister, Athelma Two.

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, January 29, 2010, at 2:00 pm at Zion Lutheran Church, West Union, Iowa.

A private family inurnment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Bremwood Childrens Home in Waverly, IA.

Condolences may be left with: www.graufuneralhomes.com.

Leonard - Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.