Dale Reuben Quam of Apple Valley passed away at the age of 73 on May 14, 2026 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Dale was born to Alfred and Mildred Quam on September 29, 1952. He came from good, hardy Norwegian roots. The 12 th of 13 children, Dale grew up on the family dairy farm where he learned the value of family and hard work. Although Dale's professional path led him away from the farm, he loved to holler "come, boss!" to the cows in later years and they'd still come running.

Dale was an athlete at heart. Never one for the spotlight, Dale still shone bright as he played alongside the Kenyon Knights' football team. He went on to play college ball at Concordia for one year before heading home to help out on the family farm. He returned to the field a year later as a Piper at Hamline University where he met the love of his life, Pamela. Dale took Pam to a movie and Uncle John's Pancake House for their first date and the rest was history. From that day on, they were rarely apart. Together, they forged friendships with fellow Pipers who would grow to be some of their most cherished lifelong friends. Those same friends showed up for Dale and Pam over the years and in their darkest hours. Good people grow great friendships, and Dale was the best kind of people.

Newly married and excited to start their life together, Dale and Pam settled in Apple Valley, Minnesota where they put down roots to raise a little family of their own. They were blessed first with a son, Daniel. Dale and Dan shared much more than their initials – together, they shared a love of golf and racquetball, fast cars and slow days on Amen Lake. A few years after Dan was born, Dale and Pam welcomed their daughter, Jenna. Dale shepherded Jenna from her first steps through her babies' first steps with unconditional love and support. As a parent, Dale's love was quiet, but steadfast. Together with Pam, Dale created a home full of warmth and love. Dale was so proud of the little family that he and Pam made. He valued family above all else and brought honor and meaning to the term "family man." It came as no surprise then that Dale absolutely loved being a grandpa. Affectionally called "Papa" by his five granddaughters, they were the collective apple of his eye. Madelyn, Grace, Charleigh, Etta and Livi – he showed up for all of them, whether it was cheering them on at a sporting event, admiring their art, or playing scrabble with them (he always let them win). Dale and Pam's greatest joy together in retirement was being with their grandgirls, though buzzing around town on his blue Vespa was a close second.

Dale was one of the most gentle, loyal, kind-hearted people to ever grace this earth. He was not ready to leave and he fought with everything he had to stay. He fought with a will of steel and sense of hope. He leaves behind a legacy of love and family and will be forever missed.

Dale is preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, Alfred (Edna), Myron (Erna), Paul (Paula), Alice (Jim), Reone (Luke), and was followed shortly by his brother, John (Birgit). Dale is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 49 years, Pamela; children, Daniel Quam and Jenna (Nick) Monson; five adoring granddaughters, Madelyn and Charleigh, and Grace, Etta, and Livi; sister-in-law, Jodie Kraemer; six remaining siblings, Donna (Jim), Frank (Audrey), Gary (Judy), Sandra (Ken), Daniel (Shari), and Christine (Gary); and many other dear friends and relatives.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 20, 2026 (10:30 Visitation, 11:00 Service) at Shepherd of the Valley, 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley. Memorials preferred to donor's favorite charity or Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church.