Alpha Constance Quam

Alpha (Rude) Quam passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at the Nelson County Health System Care Center, McVille ND at the age of 103.

Alpha was born to Carl and Anna (Borgerson) Rude at New Rockford, ND on August 20, 1921. She was the tenth child of twelve born to Carl and Anna. As a child she attended Colvin School #2, Eddy Co. To get to school, Alpha would walk or ride her horse Libby. Libby would find any slough or pond, go to the middle and Alpha would have to wait it out before Libby decided it was time to go home. Alpha said many times she wished she could have attended high school. When her mother passed away at the age of 49, Alpha took care of her two younger brothers, Ernest and Leonard. She also worked for neighbors in the area doing cooking, cleaning and babysitting. On March 21, 1944 Alpha and Ingvald Quam were married in New Rockford, ND. They lived in Harrisburg, PA while Ingvald awaited being sent overseas to serve as a medical aid man in WWII. While in PA, Alpha worked for a minister and his wife caring for their three little girls. She then moved to the West Coast where she worked at a Boeing factory building airplanes, one of the many “Rosie the Riveters” of that time. After Ingvald returned from the war, the couple farmed for many years in Forde Township, Nelson Co. After retiring, they moved into Tolna. Ingvald passed away in July of 1991. Alpha was able to continue living in her own home until 2020, at which time she moved to an apartment in Tolna. She resided there until she entered the care center in July of 2023.

Alpha was a member of Sigdal Lutheran Church and the Sigdal Ladies Aide, sewing quilts for missions.

Alpha was preceded in death by her husband Ingvald, her parents Carl and Anna, brothers Joseph (Marian), Clarence, Gilman (Bessie), Alvin (Pearl), Norman, Ernest (Dorothy) and Leonard (Benora), sisters Helen (Iver) Gjestvang, Idelia (George) Messner, Sophie (Ted) Harding and Palma (Court) Goesh, son-in-laws Odell Flaagan and Peter Becherl.

Alpha is survived by her four children, Ilyce Flaagan, Landis (Cathy) Quam, Louise Becherl and Clayton (Kendy) Quam; grandchildren, Patricia Sandoval, Douglas (Breun) Flaagan, Michael (Jodi) Flaagan, Samuel (Kelly) Leadens, Stephanie (Tyson) Hoy, Rebecca (Christopher) Hovland, Blake (Jessica) Leadens, Carson Quam, Anita (Shane) Brown, Brian (Angela) Becherl, Cody (Brooke) Quam, and Rheanna (Ryan Tyo) Quam; great-grandchildren, Taylor (John) Gardner, Michael Sandoval, Gage, Rylee, Bailey, Trace Flaagan, Kaleb (Maryssa) Flaagan, Abigail & Ryan Flaagan, Oliver & Edith Leadens, Gabrial, Jackson & Everly Hoy, Luke, Liam & Lawson Hovland, Iyla & Josie Leadens, Shaylla Brown, Mikaylla (Mark Long) Brown, Kya & Freyja Quam, and Jameis Tyo; great-great grandchildren, Elana & Emery Gardner, Kalea & Ezekiel Flaagan, Paxton Ayer & Johnny Long.

She will be missed by many, she was loved by all!

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025 at Sigdal Lutheran Church, rural Tolna, ND.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at Sigdal Lutheran Church, rural Tolna, ND.

Burial will be at the Bergen Cemetery.