Richard Warren Mardauss

Richard "Rich" Mardauss, age 63, of Dixon, died Monday, February 25, 2013, in his home. He was born August 2, 1949, in Prarie Du Chien, WI, the son of George and Imogene (Weighner) Mardauss. After graduation from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a degree in applied math in 1971, he completed a degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1977. Rich was a loving husband, father, and a friend to many. He was highly respected for his integrity, work ethic, and devotion to his profession by his co-workers at the Illinois Dept. of Transportation-Dixon, where he worked for 41 years and as the bridge inspector for the past 14. He was responsible for the 10 northern counties of Illinois, and in 1992 was presented with the Engineer of the Year award for District 2. Rich was a model airplane enthusiast, an avid cyclist, and had an unrivaled passion for history, science, and mathematics. His idea of a great time was to spend a few hours working out a "vector mechanics" problem from an old college textbook. He was led to his strong faith through the Catholic Church and became very active with his beloved church family at St. Patrick's in Dixon. Rich married Nina (Hartzell) Verner on June 4, 1983, at Grace Methodist Church in Dixon. Survivors include his wife Nina, of Dixon; 3 sons Adam (Leslie) Verner of Chicago, Robert Mardauss of Dixon, and William (Anna) Mardauss of Chicago; 2 grandchildren 10 month old Emery Louise Mardauss, and 5 month old Elijah James Verner; his mother Imogene and sister Julie (Steve) Kahler both of Evart, MI;father-in-law Robert Hartzell of Dixon; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2013 beginning with a 10:00 AM prayer service in the Jones Funeral Home in Dixon followed by a 10:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial in St Patrick Catholic Church in Dixon with the Rev. Bernard Sehr, officiating. Burial will follow in Sugar Grove Cemetery in Palmyra Twp. with a meal following at St. Patrick's Holloway Center. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 27, from 2:00 until 6:00 PM in the funeral home with a scripture service and celebration of his life at 6:00 PM. A memorial has been established to Serenity Hospice and Home in Oregon, IL and KSB Cancer Care Center.

Richard Warren Mardauss

August 2, 1949 - February 25, 2013