MASON CITY — Lyle C. Quam, 93, a devoted husband, father, military veteran and longtime Mason City worker remembered for his helpful hands and playful sense of humor, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 7, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City, with Pastor Beverly Butler officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, August 6, at Major Erickson Funeral Home. The family will also receive visitors for one hour before Friday’s service at the church.
Lyle Carroll Quam was born December 12, 1932, in South Dakota to Clayton and Tilla Erickson Quam. He was the fourth of 10 children. His family later moved to Northern Iowa, where he was raised.
On January 31, 1953, Lyle married the love of his life, Margaret Bailey. Several days later, he was called into the United States Army and deployed to South Korea, where he served until 1955. Their first son, Timothy, was born while Lyle was overseas. Five more children later joined the family.
Lyle and Margaret raised their six children in Mason City, living in the family home they purchased in 1961. They shared 69 years of marriage before Margaret’s death in 2022.
After working several jobs, Lyle began a 38-year career with Northwestern States Portland Cement Company. He remained with the company until retiring at the end of 1989.
A talented jack of all trades, Lyle could tackle everything from carpentry and welding to automobile repairs and scroll-saw projects. One of his most memorable creations was a converted 1955 school bus that slept eight people. The homemade camper carried the family on summer adventures throughout Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.
Lyle enjoyed fishing and hunting and served as an assistant Boy Scout leader for his sons. His sister Betty once said everyone should have a brother like Lyle. He was always willing to help when needed and rarely missed an opportunity to share a joke.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Above all, Lyle will be remembered as a wonderful husband and father whose dedication to his family remained at the center of his life.
Lyle is survived by his children, Timothy and Barb Quam, Bruce and Mona Quam, Cheryl and Randy Brenton, Martin Quam, Blake and Karla Quam, and Sarah Zweydoff; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Robert and Clayton; his sister, Donna Cooper; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Margaret; his sisters, LeVound Bailey, Betty Squier, Caroline King and Annette Duray; his brothers, Ivan and John; his daughter-in-law, Lou Hoffman; and his son-in-law, Jamie Zweydoff.
MAJOR ERICKSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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