"All the fun times at the old Magelson school. Derby racing his bike down the big hill. Highschool years cruising with Derby in his dad's 1954 Mercury. In the winter, Derby was an expert at doing "donuts" on the snowy parking lots and roads. Then, there was a certain "party" that Derby had while his parents were out of town for the weekend. Derby will be remembered and missed by all who knew him. God bless."
In loving memory of
Glen Derby Quam
July 4, 1941 - June 26, 2015
Stoughton - Glen Derby Quam, died June 26, 2015 at his home with his dear wife and daughter at his side.
Derby was born July 4, 1941 in Stoughton, the son of Glen and Katherine (Gyland) Quam. He spent his childhood growing up on the farm and attending 8 years of grade school at Magelson School. He had many good memories of riding his bike to school with his older sister Arlene. Derby remembered planting tobacco with his mother on the old style tobacco planter and later on with his brother on the new style planter. What fun.
After graduating from Stoughton High School, Derby worked a short while at U.S. Rubber and then at construction in Madison and Milwaukee. He then returned to his largest joy, farming.
On April 4, 1974 Derby married Patricia Jenson and along with her daughter, Sharon (whom he considered his own) enjoyed farming together, raising corn, soybeans and lots of tobacco. Because of Derby's illness they had to give up farming but felt fortunate to have good renters like David and Marlene Olson as caretakers of God's land.
Derby, Pat and Sharon enjoyed going to Brewers games, museums, hockey games and just staying home and working in their vegetable and flower gardens.
He always thought of Pat as being a real thresher man's cook because of her wonderful cooking and baking. Derby thought of Pat as being an equal farmer with him for the way she could drive every tractor, chopping stalks, chisel plowing, working all of the land ahead of the planter and hauling most of the corn. She was a better operator than any hired hand you could hire.
Derby was very proud of his Norwegian Heritage. Many times Norwegian music or the Norwegian flag would bring tears to his eyes.
Derby is survived by his wife, Pat, daughter Sharon, brother Donald G (Barbara) Quam, Stoughton, sister in law Marlene Johnson, Madison, brother in laws Clarence-Gomer (Joyce) Johnson, Fred (Phyllis) Johnson and Bill Johnson all of Stoughton. Aunt Evelyn Hubred of Deerfield, Uncle Percy (Ardis) Gyland, Stoughton. All of Derby's aunts and uncles were very special to him. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents Glen and Katherine Quam, his in laws, Frank and Louise Johnson, sister and brother in law Arlene and Orlin Kong, Madison, brother in law frank Johnson and many aunts and uncles.
Derby would like a special thanks to his wife Pat and daughter Sharon (who is a registered nurse) and Ellen Peterson with Agrace Hospice for their excellent care during his illness.
Also thanks to Gomer Johnson for all his help getting tractors and machinery
ready for the farm auction and nephew JJ who was also a great help.
Derby was a member of Rockdale Lutheran Church and his faith meant a lot to him. He would like to thank Pastor Dowling for all his (down home) visits during his illness. Mange Tusen Takk.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday June 30, 2015 at Rockdale Lutheran Church, 107 Water St., Cambridge, WI. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, June 29, 2015 at Cress Funeral Home, 206 W. Prospect, Stoughton and on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will be held immediately following the service. Derby will be laid to rest at Liberty Prairie Cemetery.
Tributes
"Derby, Good-bye old friend. Let's remember all the good times we had in 4-H and country schools,Magelson. Kegonsa and Door creek and the many nights that we stayed over at each others house. The state fair trips ,McDonalds runs that we made in high school, etc. see ya later, alligator. Myron Wilcox"