Alton Quam, 88 of the Sinai area died Saturday, January 7, 2017 at the Brookings Hospital in Brookings, SD. Funeral services were held on January 12. On-line condolences may be left at the Johnson-Henry Funeral Home website.
Alton Raymond Henry Quam was born on July 27, 1928 to Henry & Bernice (Thoreson) Quam. He was educated in the Sinai school system thru the 8th grade. He met Marjorie Jorenby in 1949 and they were married at the Sinai Lutheran Parsonage on February 24, 1950. They were married for 64 years. To this union 3 children were born- Arden, Marilyn & Marlys. The couple farmed and ranched for a few years before moving back to the Sinai community where he worked for Brookings County for 34 years running a road grader. Failing health had him living at Dakota Sun Assisted Living in Volga and then due to esophagus & swallowing problems he was moved to the Neighbors at Brookview Manor. His passions in life were: Marjorie, family & community, horses, trees, getting rid of weeds, doing anything outdoors, tractors, chain saws or anything with a 2 cycle engine and maintaining the Sinai cemetery. He loved hard work and only sat down to eat, visit, watch the weather or get a cat nap. He had many stories to tell about the history of the Sinai community. He took care of Margie 24-7 for almost 3 years after her brain surgery. He will be greatly missed by many family & friends. He was the last of his kind and they don’t make them like that anymore.
Preceding him in death are his parents, his loving wife Marjorie, one infant daughter and son Arden Quam, brother Laverne Quam. He is now finally at home with Margie.
Surviving members are: daughter-Marlys (Kermit) Micheel, Worland, WY, brother, Charles (Barb) Quam, Baltic, sisters Delores Shefte, Dell Rapids, Barb Hillestad, Sioux Falls, two granddaughters Jessica (Corey) Kremer, Sioux Falls, Danielle (Brian) Rossi, Lakewood, Co & grandson Nick Micheel, Boise, ID. Also two great granddaughters-Kalee Kremer and Valenciana Rossi. He also left behind a sister in law, Garnet Jorenby, brother in law Cliff (Deloris) Jorenby and brother in law Jim Watt and also many nieces and nephews and special friends who came to visit him these last few years.
