Harlan H. Quast

Obituary

Harlan Henry Paul Quast was born on August 11, 1947, on the Quast Family Farm south of Gaylord. He was the only child of Malan (Jimmy) and Esther (Breuer) Quast.

He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Gaylord. He attended Gaylord Public Schools and graduated in 1965 where he participated in wrestling and also built his own photography business that he carried on as a profession. Taking pictures for weddings, funerals, graduations, and many other major events, working in a darkroom to develop them. He attended Mankato State College and graduated in 1969.

Harlan married Romelle Roufs of Le Sueur on June 26, 1976, and they were blessed with one son, Kyle Malan Cletus.

He was in law enforcement both State and Federal for several years. In January, 1979, he started working for the Minnesota Security Hospital, St. Peter and retired after 23 years, 8 months and 4 days (not that he was counting!).

He loved to hunt and fish (mostly with friends) until his physical limitations prevented him from doing so. He “dabbled” in commodities but never made his fortune. He was knowledgeable in so many different areas – history, the environment, medical, and electrical (wired his own house) among them.

Harlan is survived by:
His wife, Romelle of Gaylord;
Son, Kyle of Gaylord;
Sisters-in-law, Susan Roufs of Mankato, Rolayne Herrley of Shakopee and Mary Zernechel of Lake Crystal;
Cousin, Suzanne (Trevor) Carlson of Stratford, Iowa;
Cousin-in-law, Diane Dietz of Gaylord;
Special friend, Frank Osborne of St. Peter;
Many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Malan and Esther Quast; father and mother-in-law, Cletus and Doloris Roufs (whom he was devoted to until her death at 101 years old last September); brothers-in law, Fred Roufs, Jerry Herrley and Robin Zernechel; several aunts, uncles, cousins and his very best friend Keith Olson.

Once Harlan arrived, as a best friend, best man, and godfather to Kyle, Keith said "took you long enough – let's go fishing!