Gaylen Quam, 75 of Goodridge, MN passed away Friday, October 29, 2021 of natural causes.

The service to celebrate Gaylen's life will be 11:00 AM on Friday, November 12, 2021 at Ekelund Lutheran Church, rural Goodridge, MN with Pastor Dawn Hanson officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at Johnson Funeral Services, Thief River Falls, MN. Burial will follow services at Rosendahl Cemetery, rural Goodridge, MN.

Gaylen Ole Quam was born June 20, 1946 in Thief River Falls, MN the son of Lewis Edwin and Dorothy Christine (Bratland) Quam. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. Gaylen was raised on the family farm in Reiner Township, Pennington County, MN and attended school in Goodridge, MN.

In 1966 he married Marilyn Rae Morken of Grygla, MN, and from this union three children were born: Eldon, Allison, and Gary. After nineteen years of marriage, Marilyn and Gaylen divorced.

In his early years, Gaylen lived in southeastern, MN where he worked as a heavy equipment operator for Kasson Sewer & Water. Eventually they moved to the Dilworth/Glyndon, MN area before building a home near the Quam Family Farm in Reiner Township. Gaylen was very proud it was recognized as a Century Farm in 2004.

On the farm, Gaylen and his dad raised beef cattle and small grains.  His sons and many of his nephews also worked on the farm, which truly made it a family farm. Throughout his career he continued working as a heavy equipment operator.

Through his life, Gaylen worked at various jobs including: Kiene farm in Kennedy, Turkey Plant in TRF with his mom, Lampland & Snider, Dave Paulson & Son, owned and operated Gaylen Quam & Son's " We Dig for a Living ", and also Quam Excavating.  His son, Gary, worked closely with him.  While he was doing construction, he continued to raise cattle and grow crops.  Gaylen took much pride in his abilities in heavy equipment, raising quality cattle, and high yielding crops.

In the community, he was active on the Reiner Township board for 30+ years.

In his later years he spent time driving the countryside looking at wildlife and talking to family and neighbors.  He was so proud of the family hunting land and wanted to continue to be a part of the improvements and construction plans.  His love for the Northwoods and deer hunting has been passed on to his sons and grandkids.

He also enjoyed watching western movies, the Minnesota Vikings and listening to local sports on the radio with a focus on his great-nephews playing hockey.

Survivors include three children Eldon (Lisa) Quam of Racine, MN and their children Olivia, Ella & Logan; Allison (Andy Bloedorn) Quam of Winona, MN and their children Penelope & Rosalie; Gary (Melissa) Quam of Stewartville, MN and their children Garrison & Clara; sister Janyce (Marvin) Bakken of Goodridge, MN; brother Curtiss (Donna) Quam of Goodridge, MN; nieces & nephews Jeff Bakken, Lori Jo (Bob) Jorgenson, Janelle (Gerald) Verbout, Tim (Karen) Bakken, Tami (Darrin) Byklum, Tommie Quam, Kurt (Jodi) Quam, Karla (Zach) Bancroft, Donavon (Paula) Quam; and many other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Donna.