Remembering the life of Elmer R. Quiram
Memorial services for Elmer R. Quiram will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 2 at St. Peter Lutheran Church of New Richland, MN. The Reverend Scott Williams will officiate. Military Honors will be accorded by New Richland Veteran’s Organization. Interment will be at a later date in St. Peter Cemetery, New Richland. Friends may visit with family from 4–8 p.m. on Tuesday at St. Peter Lutheran Church, and also one hour before services. Friedrich Funeral Home, New Richland is assisting the family.
Elmer spent his last days at the New Richland Care Center where he died peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, February 26. He was 79.
He was born on August 14, 1936, in Elysian, Minnesota the son of Rudolph and Lydia (Roemhildt) Quiram. He was a graduate of Waterville High School where he lettered in basketball, baseball and football for all four years.
Following graduation, Elmer served our country in the U.S. Army until his honorable discharge in December of 1956.Elmer was united in marriage to Marilyn Meschke on March 8, 1958, at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Morristown, MN.
While in the service Elmer became proficient as a baker and he came home to work at his craft in Mankato, Rochester at the State Hospital, and Waterville. In 1969, Elmer and Marilyn purchased the bakery in New Richland. Together they owned and operated Quiram’s Bakery providing baked goods and catering services for 36 years before retiring in 2005.
He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church where he had served on the council and as a Sunday School teacher.
Elmer was very active in New Richland community activities including serving as a volunteer for the firemen, ambulance, Park & Rec board, and Meals on Wheels. He also enjoyed his involvement with the American Legion. He sponsored and coached the Quiram’s Bakery women’s softball team for more than 20 years.
When Elmer wasn’t busy baking or volunteering he enjoyed watching and attending sporting events, fishing with his buddies, bowling, working in the yard, putzing in the garage or playing cards. Watching his grandchildren’s sporting events were especially proud moments for him.
Elmer is survived by his wife Marilyn, his children: Tom (Jodi) Quiram of LeSueur, MN, Pam Quiram (Steph Albert) of Edina, MN, Scott Quiram of New Richland, Jim (Jenn) Quiram of Albert Lea, Amy (Jeff) Kitzer of Ellendale; grandchildren: Sarah (Jon) Kubat, Kate (Zac) Walters, Chelsy (Scott) Wyffels, Gina Quiram, James Quiram, Erica and Ashley Horton, Alexi, Levin and Boden Kitzer; great grandchildren: Briggin Kubat, Charlotte Wyffels; sister Florence Taylor, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: David and Sharon Meschke, Lyle and Gloria Meschke, Pat Meschke, Ardon Buscho and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Sidney and Eleonora Meschke, brother Cliffert Quiram, sisters: Gladys and her husband Elmer Schmidtke, Ethel and her husband Ray Meister, Arlene and her husband J. Wayne Kirchner, sister-in-law Marjorie Busho, and brother-in-law Gene Meschke.
Elmer will be greatly missed, and as we remember him, it puts a smile on our face to know that if we could ask him how he is doing, he would say…“Just Fine.”