Elsie Quam

Elsie Quam, 93, peacefully passed away on January 18, 2017 at Eventide in Moorhead, MN. Elsie Carlson was born June 28, 1923 in Woodside Township, near Erskine MN, to Olai and Hilda Mestad Carlson. Elsie graduated from Erskine High School in 1942 and received her 2 year teaching certificate from Moorhead State Teachers College in 1944. Elsie taught in Greenbush, MN from 1944-1947 and at Ben Franklin Elementary school in Fargo from 1947-1950.

The summer of 1945 found Elsie and a friend in California working as “Rosie the Riveters” in an aircraft factory. Following VJ Day, she returned to teaching in Greenbush. Elsie met Lawrence Quam on a blind date on Halloween in 1948. They were married on September 2, 1949.

Lawrence and Elsie moved to Hawley in 1951. Elsie became very active in several organizations, including The American Legion Auxiliary and Women’s Study Club. At Hawley Lutheran Church she served on Church Council, taught Sunday school and participated in Altar Guild, Serving Groups, church bazaars, and the Steamer Hill booth. She was the embodiment of service and volunteerism to her community. She was a faithful worker at the Hawley Rodeo, working from 1960 to the late 1980’s. She delivered Meals on Wheels, and worked countless hours at the Hawley Public Library. She understood the importance of supporting and assisting with projects at school, such as hearing tests, serving as an election judge for school elections, and leading the local blood drives.

Searching for just the right name for his Viking Ship, Robert Asp approached Elsie, and with her knowledge of Norwegian, they settled on the name Hjemkomst, meaning Homecoming. She and Lawrence were there in Norway to greet the ship as it completed its famous voyage.

Elsie enjoyed gardening and sewing. Her Swedish rye bread, lefse, flatbread and rhubarb pie were legendary! She and Lawrence enjoyed traveling, especially when it involved visiting her children who, at times, were scattered from Moscow to British Columbia.

Elsie was a modest, intelligent, capable, kind, woman of faith with a keen sense of humor. She was the consummate teacher, observer, and nurturer. She kept numerous journals detailing the antics of her growing children, and reveled in reading them back to her grown children in her last years. Her greatest joys were her children and grandchildren.

Elsie is survived by her 6 children, Jeff Rebecca Smith, Rich, William Cheri all three from Fargo, Byron Ann Talbot of Vancouver, BC, Linda of King of Prussia, PA and Marilynn John Valenzuela of Costa Mesa, CA, and two grandchildren, McKenna and Alex.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Lawrence, her parents, and brother Walter.

Visitation will be at the Wright Funeral Home in Hawley Sunday, January 29, from 3:00-5:00 PM with the sharing of memories at 4:30. Services will take place on Monday, January 30, at 11:00 AM at Hawley Lutheran Church in Hawley, MN. Interment will be in Hawley Cemetery.