Dorothy Quam, 94, died on Thursday, March 15, 2007 at her home in rural Goodridge, MN.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at Ekelund Lutheran Church, rural Goodridge, MN with Rev. Bob Dahlen officiating. Burial will be in Rosendahl Cemetery, rural Goodridge, MN.

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a 5:30 P.M. Prayer service on Wednesday evening and at the church for one hour prior to service on Thursday.

Dorothy Christine Bratland was born on June 15, 1912 in Erie, MN. She was the daughter of Ole and Tillie (Vraa) Bratland, and grew up in the Goodridge area. She attended the Lundwood School, District #57, a country school near Goodridge. Dorothy worked in the Fordville, ND area as a housekeeper. While in North Dakota she became lonely for home and decided to move back to Goodridge. She then married the "love of her life," Lewis Quam, and to this union were born four children"Janyce, Gaylen, Curtiss and Donna Jean. Dorothy and Lewis also helped raise Dean and Raymond Quam after their mother passed away. The couple made their home in the Goodridge area where they milked cows, raised sheep and grew small grain. On March 2, 2007, Dorothy and Lewis celebrated their 74th Wedding Anniversary.

Dorothy worked at Land O'Lakes for over twenty years. She also worked at Inter-County Nursing Service until she was 80 years old. Since Dorothy had a passion for assisting others, she chose not to retire and continued to work independently until she was 86.

Dorothy wasnt much of a traveler, but she did enjoy her trip to Norway in 1971 with her sister Thelma, to see their cousin, Dordie who lives in Kristianson, Norway. She still corresponded with Dordie and looked forward to her letters.

Dorothy had a love of gardening flowers and vegetables. Her favorite flowers included bleeding hearts, hollyhocks, gladiolus, and peonies. She planted a vegetable garden every year up until last summer. Dorothys crop of potatoes, peas and carrots were always part of her scrumptious Garden Soup. Dorothy was a member of the Ekelund Lutheran Church, the Ekelund Ladies Aid and the Christian Womens Club. She enjoyed quilting with the Ekelund Ladies Aid and embroidering "prayer plaques" for her grandchildren. Dorothy had a knack in the kitchen and was especially known for her sour cream cookies, banana bread, chocolate cake, lefse, rhubarb jam, and fried egg sandwiches.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Lewis Quam of Goodridge, MN; her children: Janyce (Marvin) Bakken of Goodridge, MN, Gaylen Quam of Goodridge, MN, Curtiss (Donna) Quam of Detroit Lakes, MN; twelve grandchildren that Dorothy often called "my lover-girls" and "my lover-boys": Jeffrey (Deonne) Bakken of Goodridge, MN, Lori Jo (Bob) Jorgenson of Roseville, MN, Janelle (Gerald) Verbout of Wannaska, MN, Tim (Karen) Bakken of Thief River Falls, MN, Eldon (Lisa) Quam of Stewartville, MN, Allison (Andy Bloedorn) Quam of Winona, MN, Gary (fianc Kacey Anderson) Quam of Goodridge, MN, Tami (Darrin) Byklum of Fisher, MN, Tommie (Angela) Quam of Montrose, MN, Kurt (Jolane) Quam of Thief River Falls, MN, Karla Schlim of Orlanda, FL, and Donavon (Paula) Quam of Detroit Lakes, MN; thirty great-grandchildren: Brett, Brady and Brandon Bakken, Graham, Spencer and Collin Jorgenson, Kyle, Tyler, Ashley and Alex Verbout, Kailey, Emily, Riley and Kaden Bakken, Olivia, Ella and Logan Quam, Beau, Tori and Trea Byklum, Jacob Quam, Kayla, Kaiden, Daltyn, and Kash Quam, Kiersten and Nicholas Schlim, and Parker, Oliver and Addison Quam; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one infant daughter, Donna Jean, who lived for only two hours; three brothers: Olaf, Teloyd and Tillman Bratland; and one sister: Thelma Ellingson.

"Never say good-bye"only say so longAnd I love you immensely" "Dorothy Quam

ORGANIST: Tanya Verbout
SPECIAL MUSIC: Lois Peterson and Lois Anderson
SELECTIONS: "The Masters Bouquet", "The Lords Prayer" and "Good Night, Good Morning"
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: "How Great Thou Art" and "Here I Am Lord"
CASKETBEARERS: Tommie Quam, Kurt Quam, Donavon Quam, Tim Bakken, Jeff Bakken, Eldon Quam, and Gary Quam
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Lori Jo Jorgenson, Janelle Verbout, Tami Byklum, Karla Schlim, Allison Quam