The funeral service for Warren Quarnstrom, 95, of Marshall will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at First Lutheran Church in Marshall. A walk-through visitation will be Tuesday, August 25, 2020, from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service. Masks and social distancing state requirements will be observed. Military Honors provided by American Legion Post #113 will take place after the service outside the church. A private family interment will take place at a later date.
Warren Peter (W.P.) Quarnstrom was born on April 20, 1925, in Comfrey, MN. His family moved to Brewster, MN, where he attended school and graduated as Valedictorian in 1943. Upon graduation he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country through April 1946. After “winning the war,” he went on to graduate from Worthington Junior College, the University of Minnesota, and William Mitchell College of Law. Warren married his high school sweetheart, Ardella Kraft, in November of 1950. They began their married life and started their family in Minneapolis. Warren attended law school at night while working and raising young kids. In June of 1955, Warren moved his young family to Marshall, MN, and began the practice of law. The Quarnstrom & Doering law firm was established in 1957 and continues to operate today. Warren retired in June of 2009 after 54 years of providing legal counsel. Warren joined First Lutheran Church when he moved to Marshall and is a Past President of the congregation. He was active in civic organizations including the American Legion (74 years) and the Rotary Club of Marshall (62 years). He served on the Marshall School Board and when Chairman of the Board had the privilege of signing his daughter’s diploma. Southwest Minnesota State University was a vision and passion of Warren’s. He was part of the committee that lobbied for the new university to be in Marshall. When Marshall was selected, he donated his legal talents to acquire the land where the university is located. He was a Past President of the SMSU Foundation and a founding member of the Mustang Booster Club and an active member since 1969. In recognition of his support for SMSU, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Minnesota State University System. The Alumni Board granted him Honorary Lifetime Membership. Another passion of Warren’s was for high school and college sports. It would be impossible to know how many games he has attended. He was a fixture in the stands at basketball, football, and volleyball games. Post-game analysis with fellow fans was a highlight for him. He had a keen sense of statistics and would amaze others with his recollection of records, scores, and the names of individuals on teams with record losing streaks as well as State Champions. He was a past recipient of the Marshall Boys Basketball Fan of the Year Award, the Mustang Distinguished Service Award, and SMSU Athletic Hall of Honor. A one-of-a-kind sense of humor was a great gift Warren shared with others. He loved to make subtle sarcastic remarks and wait to see if anyone took the bait. If someone thought he was making a serious comment, all the better. He never liked day light savings time because he had to stay up until 2:00 a.m. to change the clocks. There had to be a better time of day to make this change.
Warren died on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at the Prairie Home Hospice McLaughlin House in Marshall. Warren was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Helen Quarnstrom. He is survived by Ardella his loving wife of 69 years, children Tom of Saint Michael, MN, Jill (Bob) Beighley of Indian Wells, CA, and John (Connie) of Mahtomedi, MN, three grandchildren (Joe (Jess), Peter, and Mary) and two great-grandsons (Austin and Aiden). Memorials preferred to the SMSU Foundation (Warren & Ardella Quarnstrom Endowed Scholarship Fund – Founders Hall, 1501 State Street, Marshall MN 56258), First Lutheran Church (100 Church St Marshall, MN 56258), or the charity of your choice.
