Ruth M. Quam

Ruth M. Quam, 91 of East Grand Forks, MN formerly of the Devils Lake area passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. Funeral Services for Ruth will be held on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Jeff Nicla will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery in the spring. Music will be provided by Donovan Foughty, soloist and Lynda Pearson, organist. Ruth Marion, daughter of Ole R. and Pearl (Olson) Hanson was born on January 5, 1920 at Churchs Ferry, ND where she was reared and educated, graduating from Churchs Ferry High School. As a high school student, Ruth wrote many articles for the local newspaper. She worked on the family farm until her marriage to Gilman Quam on July 17, 1948 in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. They established their home in the Devils Lake area where they lived, worked and raised their family through the years. She devoted her life to caring for her husband and children. Nothing brought her more joy than a visit from the grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was well known for the many “coffee parties” she hosted. She made every get together of family and friends special with good coffee, good conversation and always good food and special treats. Gilman passed away on June 29, 1995. Ruth continued to make the Devils Lake area her home until moving to East Grand Forks in 2006 due to health concerns. Ruth was an active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, WELCA and WELCA Circle. We have lost someone very special to us and to many, and she will be truly missed. Ruth is survived by her children and their spouses, Roger and Vonnie Quam, Kent and Cindy Quam all of Devils Lake and Sharon and Myron Martinson of Thompson, ND; nine grandchildren, Natalie (Scott Knopp) Quam, Amiee Johnson; Christopher (Kris) Quam, Cameron Quam; Chad (Lorraine) Martinson, Mary (Dustin) Casmey, Aaron Martinson (Holly), Shane (Amber) Martinson;Valerie (Dean) Defoe; nine great grandchildren, Tyson, Bailey, Emili, Justin, Kayla, Dalton, Brevon, Maddix and Crew. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gilman; daughter, Patricia Ruth Quam; brother, Ray Hanson and sister, Eileen Whitter.