Ann Frances Quam-Haakenson

Ann Frances Quam-Haakenson, 78, died peacefully on Saturday, March 18, 2022, at hospice in Everett, Wash.

Born Dec. 31, 1943, to Clifford and Kathryn Quam in Sioux Falls, S.D, Ann grew up in Frazer, Mont., where her parents had moved following WWII. Her father was in business with her grandfather in Frazer at Lien and Quam hardware. Her grandparents were Martin and Francis Lien, long-time residents of Frazer. Elementary and High School were in Frazer. She was at the top of her class and active in band, choir and cheerleading. She studied piano in Glasgow, Mont., with her mother’s teacher, Florence Friedland, and had a lifelong passion for music and all the creative arts. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Frazer, sang in the choir and active in Luther League. She clerked and was bookkeeper at Lien ad Quam through high school. Ann attended Concordia College, her father’s alma mater, and graduated with a B.A. in English and Music.

Following her graduation from college she married Einar Aarsheim and taught high school English in New Brighton, Minn., while he finished his theology degree at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. His first call took them to eastern North Dakota and Ann had her first experience teaching elementary language arts. Her classroom was unique for its time with tables replacing desks and carpets, brightly colored walls and bean bag chairs, all enhancing a creative learning experience for her students.

Following divorce she taught in North Dakota and Minnesota while completing her Masters in Family Counseling at Moorhead State University, Moorhead, Minn.

In 1976 she married David Haakenson and they settled in the woods outside Laporte, Minn., where Dave grew his woodworking business and Ann expanded her passion for poetry and creative writing benefiting from the vibrant arts community in the area. August 1979 brought great joy at the birth of their son, Haakon David Quam Haakenson. After separation Ann and Haakon settled in South Dakota beside the creek in Dark Canyon just outside Rapid City. That became Ann’s home until she moved to Everett, due to failing health and to be closer to her son and his family.

In South Dakota Ann opened a practice in Family Counseling, was a church organist and played clarinet in the city band. She loved tea and long conversations with her friends, walks in the canyon with her dogs, gardening around her house and spreading the wildflowers of the canyon. All was done with a kind and caring heart. She wanted and worked for all those around her to be the best versions of themselves. She was unique!

Ann was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Pastor Robert Quam, Billings, Mont.

She is survived by her son Haakon, his wife Katharine Barrett and their son Bryn; and her brothers, Jon Quam, Washington, D.C, and Tom Quam and his wife Sandie, South Jordan, Utah.

A celebration of her life and interment of ashes was June 27, 3 p.m., at Sunset Rest Cemetery north of Frazer.