Carlos E. Abraham

Carlos E. Abraham, 89, of Hazel, SD, went home to heaven on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at Avantara in Lake Norden, SD, surrounded by his wife and daughters.

Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5-8 PM at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown. Funeral services will be Thursday, December 16th at 10 AM at at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Watertown, SD, followed by burial at Mount Hope Cemetery in Watertown. Rev Keith Petersen will officiate, with Karen Livingston as organist. Special pre-service music will be played by granddaughter, Emily Antonen. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Codington County Post #17 of the American Legion, Watertown and the Military Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard.  There will be congregational singing.  The service will be live-streamed via St. Martin’s Lutheran Church website and Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel Facebook page.

Pallbearers will be: Tucker Frederick, Alan, David, and Kevin Ellingson, Kyle Bradshaw, Alex and Kirby Antonen, and Carson Allex, all grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be: Jodi Baumberger, Krista Cronin, Rachel Sharbono, Allison Johnson, Emily and Abby Antonen, and Lauren and Shelby Allex, all granddaughters, and his 7 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be sent to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Henry, Great Plains Lutheran High School in Watertown, Clear Lake Radio Ministry in Clear Lake, or the organization of your choice.

Carlos Eugene Abraham was born July 6, 1932, at the family farm home north of Hazel, SD, to Herman, Jr. and Agnes (Penk) Abraham. He was baptized August 21, 1932, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Grover, SD, and confirmed on November 14, 1948, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Henry, SD, where he was a lifelong member. He attended country school near his home, and graduated from Hazel High School in 1950. Following graduation, he farmed with his father until joining the army on March 17, 1952. Following basic training, he served 10 months in Korea as a telephone operator. He was discharged on March 17, 1954, and returned home to Hazel to the farm. He lived there his entire life.

On September 25, 1955, he married Anita Janice Boehnke of Henry, SD, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Henry. The family story goes that they met by the church Christmas tree. This marriage was blessed with 5 daughters. When asked about living with all of those women, Carlos would tell everyone how blessed he was.

Carlos was very active in the church and the community. He held many offices at St. Paul’s, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday school. He served as Chairman of the Hazel and Hamlin School Boards, and the Hamlin County Farmers Coop. He was a member of the CCH Tri County Pork Producers, was a 4-H leader, and served on the Brantford Township Board.

His hobbies were hunting, fishing and trapping. He enjoyed traveling with his family, especially to the Black Hills, Yellowstone, Alaska, California, Florida and Canada. He liked to hand out Tootsie Rolls and root beer barrels to little children. He was a very supportive grandfather, who enjoyed traveling with Anita to lots of ballgames, track meets, concerts, and ballet recitals. They didn’t miss many.

He is survived by his bride of 66 years, Anita, of Hazel. His 5 daughters: Cindy (Randy) Frederick, of Hayti, Pam (Mike) Ellingson, of Marshall, MN, Natalie (Jeff) Bradshaw, of Watertown, Sherry (Rusty) Antonen, of Lake Norden and Carnie (Gene) Allex, of Danube, MN. Sixteen grandchildren: Jodi Baumberger, Krista (Scott) Cronin, Tucker (Lindsay) Frederick, Alan Ellingson, David (Alee) Ellingson, Kevin Ellingson, Rachel (Riley) Sharbono, Allison (Gerad) Johnson, Kyle Bradshaw, Alex, Emily, Abby and Kirby Antonen and Lauren, Carson, and Shelby Allex. Seven great-grandchildren: Pierce and Faith Baumberger, Tanner and Brianna Cronin, Will and Cullen Frederick, and Gibson Johnson, with more on the way. He is also survived by his siblings: Juanita (Gordon) Burke, of Watertown, Betty (Chuck) Sour, of Hazel, and Larry (Ollie) Abraham, of Hazel, and brother-in-law, Bob Boehnke, of Watertown.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a great-granddaughter, Hope Ellingson.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel        www.crawfordosthus.com 

Watertown, Hayti, De Smet, Bryant                                      

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