Quam, Laura Deane Hassebrock (1930-2023)

QUAM, HASSEBROCK, FONKEN, MARTINO

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/14/2023 at 16:02:14

Daily Freeman Journal
Webster City, Iowa
February 28, 2023

BOONE — Laura Hassebrock Quam, 93, died on February 24, 2023, of natural causes.

Laura Deane Hassebrock was born January 9, 1930, daughter of Edith [Fonken] and Theodore Hassebrock on their farm home near Kamrar, Iowa.

She attended rural grade schools and Kamrar High School. Laura then graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (now UNI) and taught in Alexander and Story City.

While teaching in Story City, she met Gordon Quam, and they were married on June 11, 1954. They celebrated their 67th anniversary in 2021.

When Gordon entered the army, she taught in Ames and later in Kansas, where he was stationed. After he was discharged, he entered Drake University, and Laura did substitute teaching in Des Moines. Daughter Debra and son Dennis were born during this time.

She and Gordon were excited to move to Stanhope to raise their family when he accepted a position with Farmer’s State Bank. Laura became a teacher’s associate for the Stanhope school and handled the GED classes. They thoroughly enjoyed the community and were honored to maintain numerous lifelong friendships.

At the bank, Gordon had welcomed the addition of insurance and real estate responsibilities. When the opportunity arose to acquire insurance agencies in Boone, the family moved there in 1972. Laura managed the GED program at DMACC.

After adding real estate to the insurance business, Laura became a salesperson and eventually a broker for the agency, including many years as Century 21, with Gordon until retiring in 2014. Laura genuinely appreciated all the people she was able to meet and work with over her long career as well as the salespeople on the team, many of which became wonderful longtime friends.

Laura and Gordon enjoyed many travel adventures over the years, both in the states and abroad, for both pleasure and business.

God was a cornerstone throughout her life. Laura was an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Stanhope and Augustana Lutheran Church in Boone. She served on the Augustana Personnel Committee for 15 years and was a Circle member. She particularly cherished teaching Bible School and Sunday School classes. Laura loved music and sang in and directed church choirs.

Laura was a member of the American Women’s Club, American Business Women’s Association, P.E.O. Sisterhood and served on the Boone US Bank Board of Directors.

Laura particularly delighted in gatherings of family and friends and was very fond of any card or board game, especially canasta, and scrabble.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her daughter Debra (Joseph) Martino of Virginia; son Dennis (Christine) Quam of Boone; Grandsons: Jason Quam of Pennsylvania, Ryan Quam of Washington, D.C., and Jack Martino of New York; granddaughter Grace Martino of California; Step-grandsons: Kurt of Texas and Timothy (Margaret) Martino and great-grandson Thomas of New York; Brother Wayne (Barb) Hassebrock of Webster City; Sister-in-law Barbara Hassebrock of Texas; brother-in-Law Nolan (Linda) Quam of Des Moines, and several cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband Gordon, her parents, brother Harold Hassebrock, infant nephew Daniel Hassebrock, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 2, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Schroder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home (609 7th St. Boone, IA 50036). The family will be present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 3, 2023, at Augustana Lutheran Church (309 S. Greene St, Boone, IA 50036). Lunch will follow in the church fellowship hall. Interment will be at the Story City Fairview Cemetery (908 Grand Ave, Story City, IA 50248) at 1:00 p.m. for those who would like to join.

A live stream of the service will be available on the Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home Facebook Page and can be accessed at: https://www.facebook. com/SchroederStarkWelin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Augustana Lutheran Church, The American Cancer Society, or the charity of your choice.