Recently Marge Quam, longtime secretary to the principals of BHS, passed away (https://www.rudesfuneralhome.com/obituary/marjorie-quam). Her life story is exceptionally intriguing and inspiring.
As stated, she had to quit high school three years before before graduating. However, she returned to complete high school at BHS when she was in her early 30's and graduated in 1962, having completed three years of coursework in only two years, while also making the National Honor Society in her senior year. My brother also graduated that year. I was always mystified why this older student was pictured in their yearbook. Now we know why. A number of our classmates also had siblings in that class. Among them are (my apologies if any of these listed are not brothers or sisters) Nancy Davis, Julie Faust, Joanne Gustafson, Mike Harrison (his brother David was here in elementary school before moving away shortly after 1962), Marnel Hirschmann, Linda Hokanson, Jerry Koenders, Mike Mehegan, Dave Moxon, Pat O'Connell, Floyd Olson, Rodney Sanders, Priscilla Stoner, Jim Webbenhurst, and Bob Walz.
Marge must have impressed Mr. Bell, as she was hired to be his secretary soon after she had graduated. She then held that position for 31 years until retiring in 1993. Like most secretaries, she probably knew more about what was happening in the school than the faculty and administration. She knew which students were absent, habitually late for class, or even skipping. Her skills were perhaps most appreciated and needed in the spring, when many extra-curricular activites are occurring and graduation preparations need to be finalized. Her ability to remain calm and to hold faculty and students accountable helped make BHS an exemplary school.
She would also know what activities most of the students were involved with, as advisors and coaches would have to provide the office a list of students who would need to be excused for competitions and practices.
Marge's husband Herb owned Herb's Body Shop, which was originally located somewhat kitty-corner form Bozied's Conoco at 6th and Main. That business was later taken over by their son Dave, who was in the class of 1967, the last one to graduate from the "old" high school by the courthouse ( a number of us had older brothers or sisters in that class: Jim Wright, Bob Wakeman, Brian Walsh, Ann Thysell, Bill and Bob Sturdevant, Bob Sterud, Jim Steen, Anita Sloat, Tom Simmons, Susan Robish, Jan Roberts, Steve Quincy, Joann Perso, Linda Mehegan, Ginny Marshall, Catherine Linder, Terry Liebing, Jay Leibel, Lee Kratochvil, Tony Koenders, Beth Kallemeyn, Mary Ellen Josephson, Dexter Johnson, Janice Jensen (?), Steve Holm, Chuck Hoekman, Ruth Herrig, Barb Hendricks, Pete Hauff, Brad Hamilton, Barb Davis, Brian Darnall, Bonnie Christie, Dave Cavanaugh, Richard Brown, Dave Bozied, Ralph Bortnem, Tom Boggs, Phil Bjordahl, Mary Ann Berkland, Joyce Berge, Dennis Baker, Bill Anderson, Duane Allison, and Elizabeth Ahlers. My apologies for any errors or omissions). In the early 70's, Dave moved the shop to South Main between the old Purple Cow and the Sioux Drive-In, and renamed the business "Dave's Collision." Dave retired a few years ago, and his son Nate now runs the shop, which continues to do outstanding repairs. They even restored a 1957 Chevy for a classmate of ours. Dave is best remembered in high school as being an excellent student manager for the athletic teams.
Marge was certainly an importanteam member of an outstanding school. As our 1969 yearbook states, "Not the biggest, but the best." Marge Quam certainly did her share to uphold that tradition. Our condolences to Dave and his family on the loss of their mother and matriarch.
