Benjamin Jerad Quamme

Benjamin “Ben” Jerad Quamme, 33, was killed as a result of injuries he received in a one-vehicle rollover on Hwy. 27 near Fairview just before midnight on Monday, Oct. 6, 2014. He was born Oct. 6, 1981, at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wis., to Stan and Barb (Brudos) Quamme. Ben was baptized in Onalaska, Wis., and confirmed at Utica Lutheran Church. He was a Class of 2000 graduate of North Crawford High School and was to receive his B.S. degree in business administration from Viterbo University in December. Ben’s work ethic began early in life. Growing up in rural Crawford County embedded in him a love and appreciation for nature and the outdoors. Working for Turkey Ridge Orchard, delivering the La Crosse Tribune, the Crawford County Highway Department and later S & S Cycle reinforced Ben’s reputation for dependability. At the present, Ben was partnered with his mother in Tim’s Cheese, her right hand man. Ben also did custom work with his brother, Aaron, as he was always willing to “lend a hand” when it was needed. He could fix almost anything and was relied on and loved by his family and friends so much. A well rounded guy. High school sports included varsity football, basketball and track, including a trip to state with the basketball team in 1999. Other activities included band and choir, jazz band, swing choir and high school musicals. Ben was proud of his Norwegian heritage and had taken over the responsibility of cooking all the lutefisk for our family at Christmas gatherings. To help with the meal Ben would peel and rice potatoes for lefse, mix meatballs, peel rutabagas and bake lefse. Ben would serve everyone first, then eat last. In the summer you would find him manning the grill. The fall was Ben’s favorite time of the year. Spending time in the woods, checking a tree stand, sighting in his bow or gun, he was a country boy at heart. Material things were not important to Ben. Living a simple life, spending time with his family and friends is what he valued. Ben was tenderhearted, gentle and kind. He loved God and he loved people. Ben “walked the walk.” A quote from Author Ben Logan fits Ben very well to say “Once you have lived on the land, been a partner with its moods, secrets and seasons, you cannot leave. The living land remembers, touching you in unguarded moments, saying, ‘I am here. You are part of me.’” He is survived by his mother, Barb; one brother, Aaron of Mt. Sterling; and one sister, Linn; brother-in-law, Jeff Vandenberghe; a special nephew, Lincoln, of Prior Lake, Minn.; Gramme Lenore Brudos of rural Ferryville; aunts and uncles, Ron and Kathy Quamme, Ralph and Karen Quamme, Jim and Beth Quamme, Randy and Jean Ellefson and Todd Brudos; cousins, Sarah, Jonathan, Clayton, Shane, Cherise, Rachel and Jon Quamme, Jerad, Josh and Joel Ellefson and Kay and Todd Arthur Brudos; many relatives and close friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Stan, March 1, 2010; his grandparents, Herb and Dolores Quamme and Tillman Brudos Jr. Funeral services were held on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, at Utica Lutheran Church with Pastor O. Trygve Holter officiating. The organist was Bill Kvigne. Serving as casket bearers were David Aspenson, Jordan Tracy, John Wedeberg, Jake Wedeberg, Aaron Quamme, Jeff Vandenberghe, Jerad Ellefson, Jonathan Quamme, Cody Brockway and Chad Sime.