Edward L. Scribner

Graveside services for Edward L. Scribner will be held on September 8, 2023, at Oak Grove Cemetery in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.  A celebration of his life with friends and family will follow at his beloved lake home on the south shore of Big Detroit Lake. Edward died unexpectedly on September 2, 2023, at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.

Edward was born on November 16, 1939, in Alva, Oklahoma.  The son of John and Lila Scribner, he grew up on a farm west of town and started his education at a country schoolhouse.  His father had him driving a John Deere tractor before he could see over the steering wheel.  His parents later moved to town where he graduated from Alva High School in 1957.  Some are surprised to learn that he played the violin in a trio while in high school.  When he was sixteen his parents bought a pool hall in downtown Alva and put him to work there earning money for college.  Many life lessons were learned on that tractor and in the pool hall that served him well for the rest of his life.  Edward was one of four students from his graduating class to go on to attend the University of Oklahoma where he graduated with a degree in Finance. 

Following graduation Edward and Beverly Kinnear were married and in 1964 their son John was born while they were living in Norman, OK.  After their divorce Edward moved to Oklahoma City where he continued his career in the construction industry.  Over the years he built numerous commercial buildings, hundreds of homes, and many hotels.   As John was growing up, he and Edward spent much quality time together traveling, golfing, and engaging in Boy Scouting activities including a special ten-day adventure at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.  John went on to become an Eagle Scout which made his father very proud.  John and his wife Adrienne live in Arlington, Virginia.  They have three children, Michael, William, and Hadley.  Michael and William became Eagle Scouts last year which made Edward even prouder.  He was also pleased that Hadley is soon to become an Eagle Scout.

In 1977 Edward and John were invited to visit Minnesota by the woman he was dating at the time, Claudia Quam.  He returned to Minnesota every year thereafter and came to call it his second home.  He and Claudia were married in Frederick, Oklahoma in 1979.  Early on he formed a close bond with his father-in-law John Quam who taught him how to drink ten-year-old Old Charter and grill steaks.  Every summer Edward and Claudia traveled to Detroit Lakes to vacation and eventually built a home on Big Detroit Lake in 1997.  They were fortunate to have welcoming neighbors who have become dear friends over the years.  Summers have been enjoyed spending special time with grandchildren and friends from Oklahoma as well as good times with Claudia’s many relatives in the area who have become close friends.

Edward was a generous supporter of what he considered worthy causes and was always ready to help a person he thought deserved it.

Edward was predeceased by his parents, his sister Johnette Beagley, his half-brother Harold Scribner, father and mother-in-law John and Dolores Quam, and sister-in-law Jonel Quam. 

In addition to his immediate family, surviving him are his half-brother James Scribner, brother-in-law Rex Beagley, nephew Scott Beagley, sister-in-law Betsy Martin, and nephew Tony Martin.

Memorials may be made in Edward’s name to Autism Speaks, P.O. Box 37148, Boone, Iowa 50037-0148.  To share a memory or condolence, visit www.daviddonehower.com.