Full History

The history of Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home dates back to April 1934, when S.J. Quam established a funeral home business in the Martin Garlis residence, which was the site of the funeral home until 1992 when it moved to its current location.

While Mr. Quam served in the armed forces in 1944, Mrs. Quam operated the business. After returning home in the fall of 1945, Mr. Quam bought nineteen caskets and a 1933 Ford Hearse from Dr. Leif Almklov, who had been in the funeral profession in Cooperstown since 1898.

Mr. Quam was a licensed trade embalmer, traveling to surrounding communities as requested to complete the embalming of many businessmen such as John Knapp in Binford, Billy Sinclair in Hannaford, and E.S. Duea in Sharon.

After buying a share of the Boe Funeral Home from Mrs. E.E. Boe in 1956, Mr. Quam began serving the community of Finley, as well as surrounding communities. In 1959, Glen R. Plaisted purchased Mrs. E.E. Boe's funeral home interest, and in 1959, he purchased one-half of the interest in the Cooperstown location from S.J. Quam, forming a partnership. In January 1974, S.J. Quam retired, and Mr. Plaisted purchased his half of the business.

On July 1, 1981, Rick Cushman, a Licensed Funeral Director, and Tom Vertin, a third-generation Minnesota funeral director, purchased the funeral home. Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home continues to be dedicated to the same service it has provided since 1934.