QUAM, Esther Mae (Halvorson) 1923-2010

HALVORSON, QUAM, LARSEN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/5/2010 at 21:49:52

Esther Mae Quam 1923-2010

Esther Mae Quam, 87, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, and St. Ansgar, Iowa, died early Sunday morning, October 3, 2010 at Regency Hospital in Golden Valley.

She was born March 14, 1923 to Clarence and Lydia (Larsen) Halvorson in St. Ansgar, Iowa where she grew up and graduated from high school. After receiving her teaching degree at Waldorf College, she taught school in the St. Ansgar area. She married Melvin Quam on July 6, 1945 in St. Ansgar. In 1947, they moved to Austin where Esther worked part-time with her husband at Service Printing. One of the founding members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin, Esther enjoyed quilting, crocheting, playing cards and games. Esther and Melvin liked to dance and spend time with their family and friends. The couple moved to Backus when they retired.

Esther is survived by two sons: Gary Quam of Eden Prairie and Gene (Joyce) Quam of Big Fork; two daughters: Carol (Thomas) Reitsma of Waconia and Janet (Lee) Phillippe of Plymouth; 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Alton (Allene) Halvorson of St. Ansgar, Iowa; one sister-in-law, Betty Halvorson of Casa Grande, Arizona; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Melvin; an infant son, David and a brother, Gerald Halvorson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, October 7, 2010 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor Karen Behling officiating. Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the church. Worlein Funeral Home, Austin, is in charge of arrangements. Interment is at Rose Creek Enterprise Cemetery, rural Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com. The family prefers memorials to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Austin.

[ Austin Daily Herald, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010 ]