Marquetta Origer

Marquetta M. Origer, age 90, passed away peacefully in Largo, Florida on January 23, 2017 at Morton Plant Hospital. Marquetta was born on September 7, 1926 to Earl and Helen (Lundeen) South in Moorhead, MN. Marquetta was a pioneer in the field of correctional Health Care Administration. Her various academic degrees included: RN Nursing, Corrections and Law Enforcement, as well as Correctional Health Care Administration. Having worked at both the state and federal prison levels, Marquetta was passionate in providing superior health care to all populations within the correctional systems. This was reflected in the numerous awards she received for her contributions to Correctional Health Nursing including the first ever awarded from the Minnesota Nurses Association. Marquetta’s career included working 22 years for the NCCHC as Senior Surveyor, evaluating prison and jail medical units for compliance within national standards. She was also past president and board member of the Twin Cities AORN and ACHSA. These positions afforded her and her husband the opportunity to travel and reside in various parts of the U.S. Aside from her professional career, Marquetta was a very colorful and loving person to family, friends and the many folks she met along her life journey. Throughout her 90 years, her overwhelming spirit and generous heart touched the lives of many. Marquetta’s love of cooking and her exemplary culinary skills were enjoyed by all who made contact with her. Whether they were a casual acquaintance or long term friend, no one was excluded from her table. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 59 years, William A. Origer; and one sister, Earlynn (Gil) Rogness. Marquetta is survived by her sons, Timothy (Geri) Origer of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Lee (Susan) Origer of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter, Patricia (Michael) McDowell of Hastings, Minnesota; grandchildren, Megan (Jay) Vier, Kate (Patrick) Swanson, Sean McDowell (Elizabeth Kanz), Chelsea (Wes) Brammier, Amber (Jonathan) Sievers, and Sidera (Brian) Origer Steiff; great grandchildren, Charlie, Olivia, Lauren, William, Luke, Ryder, Skye, and Jade. A Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Fr. Tony Andrade, will be held Friday, March 17, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Ave., Saint Paul Park, MN. A gathering will take place one hour prior to mass at church. Interment, Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred. Visit www.wisefamilyfh.com to sign the online guestbook and view the memorial video tribute. Wise Family Funeral Home is serving the family. .