Quam, Delbert James (1932-2017)

QUAM, TEIGLAND, OPSTVEDT, HYLAND, HAUGE

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:02

South Hamilton Record News, Jewell, Iowa, December 27, 2017

Delbert James Quam, age 85, loving husband, father and grandfather, went to be with his heavenly Father on December 19, 2017 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Bethany Manor Care Center.

Funeral services were Friday, December 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Elim Lutheran Church in Randall. Burial followed in the Story City Cemetery. Visitation was Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Bethany Manor Chapel in Story City.

Delbert was born to James and Sella (Teigland) Quam on March 18, 1932 at his farmstead east of Randall, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Elim Lutheran Church in Randall and was a lifelong member at Elim. The church had a great influence on his life.

He attended the Randall School and graduated in 1950. After graduation he attended Luther College, before enlisting in the United States Air Force. He attended Air Traffic Control School, and he served two years as an air traffic controller on the island of Okinawa during the Korean conflict. After serving four years in the Air Force he returned and attended ISU. At that time he rekindled an old friendship with Darlene Opstvedt, who became his wife on April 8, 1956. Delbert and Darlene returned to his home farm in 1957. He took over the farming operation when his parents retired. They were blessed with three children - Kent, Douglas and Sue Ellen.

Survivors include wife Darlene Quam of Story City, Kent (Colleen) and daughter Casey of Winston-Salem, NC, Douglas (Beth) and sons Devan and Landon of Hubbard, Iowa and Sue Ellen Hyland (Jason) and daughters Jaden, Josie and Jasmine of Jewell, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Sella Quam; four siblings, Pastor Ernest Quam (Margaret), Lyla Hauge (Gaylord), Luther Quam (Lavon) and Arden Quam (Judy).

Del and Dar often marveled at how God could bless this family with so much joy and happiness, but the answer was always the same - to God be the glory! His faith in God and spending time with his family were his greatest treasures.

Memorials in Delbert's honor may be made to Elim Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer's Association. Soderstrum Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

Delbert wrote this obituary before he got sick with Alzheimer's disease.