Milton E. Quam

Wednesday, September 18, 2019 1:33 pm

Milton E. Quam, 82, of Decorah, passed away Sunday morning, Sept. 15, 2019, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Decorah, with Rev. Dr. Jennifer Edinger officiating. Burial is in Washington Prairie Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, one and a half hours before the service, at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church. Organist is Paul Bruvold. Soloist is Alysen Forbes (“I Will Rise”), accompanied by Martha Ludeking. Congregational hymns are “Amazing Grace,” “Just As I Am” and “What A Friend We Have in Jesus.” Casket bearers are Erik Forbes, Kyle Sloter, Jordan Sloter, Jim Dotzenrod, Bobby Jewell, Kent Lynch and Kenny Quam. Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.

Milton Ernest Quam was born June 22, 1937, in Decorah, the son of Adolph Milford and Gertrude Elsie (Nesset) Quam. He graduated from Ridgeway High School with the class of 1956, where he participated in many activities in addition to playing basketball.

Milton was united in marriage with Orma Ihde Dec. 3, 1961, at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. This union was blessed with three daughters: Glenda, Michelle and Nicolle.

Milton valued hard work. Through his life, he worked as a milk contractor for Nordness Creamery, as the owner and driver for Quam Truck Services, as a hog buyer for Interstate Producers in Ridgeway for 39 years, and as a proud farmer. He served in the US Army and Reserves.

Milton’s greatest love was his family. He received great joy in helping family, friends and neighbors. You may have found him laughing, teasing, telling stories, camping, square dancing, playing cards and working his favorite John Deere tractors in the field. Milton’s loyalty was unmatched. He was a member of Washington Prairie Lutheran Church.

Milton became a resident of Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah Sept. 18, 2018.

Milton is survived by his wife, Orma; his three daughters: Glenda (Todd) Forbes of Noblesville, Ind., Michelle (Daryl) Sloter of Milton, Ga., and Nicolle Trow of Atlanta, Ga.; his grandchildren: Kristin (Robert) Rose of Mishawaka, IN, Erik (Alysen) Forbes of Noblesville, IN, Kyle Sloter of Phoenix, AZ, and Jordan Sloter of Milton, Georgia; his great-granddaughter, Rylynn Rose of Mishawaka, Ind.; his brothers and sisters: June Juve of Escondido, Calif., Jim Ellingson of Hamilton, Mont., Carston Quam of Decorah, Dale (Evelyn) Quam of Decorah, Roger (Louise) Quam of Decorah, Norman (Maxine) Quam of Decorah, Alfred (Deb) Quam of Decorah, Nancy (Ron) Zweibohmer of Decorah, Penny (Larry) Mestad of Decorah; his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Jeanette Schroeder of Castalia, Marvin (Dorothy) Ihde of Decorah, Arla Ihde of Decorah, Kay Ihde of Decorah, Mary Beth Rover of Waterloo and Wayne Lewis of Landenberg, Pa.; as well as by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, A. Milford and G. Elsie; his siblings: Alice Quam, Shirley Dahlstrom, Elsie Lewis and Roy Quam; his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Robert Dahlstrom, Donald Ihde, LeRoy Ihde, Norman Ihde, Kenneth Juve, Carol Quam and Kenneth Schroeder.