Ethel D. Kvammen

Monday, July 31, 2017 4:40 pm

Ethel D. Kvammen, 95, of Decorah, died Saturday, July 29, 2017, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Memorial services are at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, at Decorah Lutheran Church, with Pastor Dave Sorenson and Pastor Brenda Crossfield officiating. Private family interment is in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, one hour before the service, at Decorah Lutheran Church. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.

Ethel Doris Genevieve (Sandbeck) Kvammen was born July 17, 1922, to Melvin H and Clara O. (Scholl) Sandbeck at home in rural Waukon. She was baptized Aug. 26, 1922, by Rev. Olaf Brevik and confirmed her faith at Glenwood Lutheran Church in rural Decorah June 13, 1937, with Rev. Alfred Bredesen as pastor. She attended rural Bell School and graduated from Waukon High School with the class of 1941. Ethel married Robert L. Shattuck Jan. 10, 1943, at Glenwood Lutheran Church. To this union, three children were born: Sherry, Linda and Gregory.

She became a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon, where she taught Sunday school, served on the church council board of education and was a member of the choir and Mother’s Club. While in Waukon, she was employed by Farm Service Company, Hales Ready to Wear and became Allamakee County deputy treasurer.

Ethel was united in marriage with Alfred G. Kvammen of Decorah Aug. 20, 1961, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon, with Rev. David Valler officiating. To this union one son, Mark, was born.

Ethel became a member of Decorah Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school, served on the stewardship committee of church council, served on Aase Haugen Home board for two terms, was president of Luren Auxiliary and a member of Luther College Women’s Club.

Upon moving to Decorah, she was employed at Security Bank and at Decorah State Bank for 23 years. She had a passion for music. She was a gifted seamstress, baker and cook, and loved being with family and friends, especially her grandchildren.

Ethel is survived by her two daughters, Sherry Digre of Rochester, Minn. and Linda Shattuck of Long Beach, Calif.; her two sons: Gregg (Lois) Shattuck of New Hampton and Mark (Susan) Kvammen of Decorah; one step-son, Alfred “Bob” (Judy) Kvammen Jr. of Grants Pass, Ore.; her grandchildren: Kimberly Digre, Michael (Leah) Digre, Greg Shattuck, Jr., Bryan (Heidi) Shattuck, Sara (Tyler) Throndson; her step-grandchildren: Gary (Jeanette) Kvammen, Robert (Liz) Kvammen, Timothy (Lori) Kvammen; her great-grandchildren: Cody, Alexa, Ashton, Brenna, Lauren and Elliot; her step-great-grandchildren: Amanda, Sharr, Kira and Aden; and her sister-in-law, Ede Halversen of Waukon.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Al, Dec. 21, 2003; her sisters: Dagny Smorstad, Cora Krumme, Helen Seiple, Arla Stuckman and Sophie Kubitz; her brothers, Hartvig and Philip Sandbeck; her stepson, Gary Kvammen and his wife, Elaine Kvammen; her brothers-in-law: Eldo Krumme, Chalmer Seiple, Robert Stuckman, Clifford Smorstad and Bob Kubitz; Elmer, Malvin, Arthur, Elwood and Kermit Kvammen; and her sisters-in-law: Stella, Mildred, Luella Kvammen and Olga (Kvammen) Gandrud.