Maria Jo Quast

Maria Jo Quast 1971-2021 March 31 would have been her 50th birthday celebration. Instead, it will become her celebration of life as her family and friends join to say their final goodbyes.
50 years ago, Maria’s grandfather was holding his first granddaughter in his lap when his Dakota country neighbor showed up to hear her grandpa say “look what the Easter Bunny brought me”. She was an Easter baby full of joy. And it will be during the Easter holy week of this year when she will rejoin her grandpa and so many others who have gone before her-including her two sons Issiah and Jacob.
By the time she was in the eighth grade, she was recognized for completing over 500 volunteer hours at Bethesda Lutheran home in Watertown Wisconsin. It was likely the place where she developed her affection, appreciation, and support of people with disabilities. It became the foundation for her life she was always on the watch for those people in need, those hurting, or those needing a moment of reassurance. She was so full of patience. Throughout her life, she would be known for her dedication to her jobs, her faith and trust in her Lord, her ease in stopping to pray with, and for, those needing comfort.
Upon completing her associate degree, she asked her two grandmothers to walk her down the aisle as she was married to Dean Quast. Their family included Natasha, Issiah, Jacob and Katreesa. Each of their sons have been called to their heavenly home way too early. Daughters left to cherish her are, Natasha (Scott) Wirch and their two daughters Makenzie and Alexandra, and Katie (Brandon) Quast and their two daughters Olivia and Annie. Maria was filled with joy to have been able to visit with each of her girls and granddaughters just weeks before the recently diagnosed AML claimed her life.
Maria’s only brother Thomas Bauer (Jolene) lives in Kenosha with their children Thailor, Seth, Nic, Jillian and Piper. Their Angel son Spencer may be one of the heavenly family members greeting Maria.
In addition to those mentioned above, she is survived by her mother Janet Bieschke (late Richard) and father Gary (Norene) Bauer. She leaves behind Aunts: Cindy Peterson, Colette Kellogg, Elizabeth ODea, Karen Robinson, Sharon Bauer, and Marlene Mitzel, Uncles: Patrick, Ron, Gary, Walt, and Brad Gannon, many cousins and others she considered to be her family.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, William and Vivian Gannon, and Albert and Violet Bauer; her Aunt Theresa Vieweg; Uncles David Gannon and Glen Bauer; cousins Shane Gannon and Dennis Vieweg.
She quietly carried her personal burdens with grace and she publicly and openly carried her kind generous spirit and her strong faith in her Lord. As her celebration of life will be during Holy Week, she would remind us that Easter is about Hope, Renewal, and a new life. No winter lasts forever, and no Spring misses its turn. She was loved and she knew it. She is already so missed!
A memorial service will take place at 1:00 PM on Friday, June 18, 2021 at Lake View Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, Maria would prefer that you look around for someone in need, and offer them your act of charity or kindness.