Vera L. Abrahamson
November 2, 1924 ~ May 15, 2021 (age 96) 96 Years Old
Vera Abrahamson Obituary
Vera L. Abrahamson, age 96, of Brookings, SD, formerly of De Smet, SD, passed away on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at The Neighborhoods at Brookings, Brookings, SD. Funeral services will be at 1:00 on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at the American Lutheran Church in De Smet. Pastor Jonathan Dolan will officiate. Music will be provided by Marie Rusche as organist with Lee Saeger as soloist. The service will be Live-Streamed on our Face-Book page..
Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday, prior to the service, starting at 12:00 p.m.
Burial will be at the De Smet Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers are Rich Abrahamson, Curtis Gerald and Mel Duncan. Active pallbearers are: Dan Pederson, Bill Driscoll, Mark Stearns and Dallas Hofer.
Vera was born to Edwin Grotta and Kneola Wilcox Grotta at their farm home near De Smet SD. She attended country school the first eight years, and graduated from De Smet High School. World War II changed plans for many graduates that year, and higher education was put on hold for Vera. She found work in Aberdeen, advertising and displaying merchandise for JC Penney for several years. She then moved to Sioux Falls and worked at the Fantles Department store to do the same type of work.
Due to her mother's health, she moved back to De Smet and worked for JC Penney and Heinz Market. Vera met the love of her life on Main Street in De Smet, SD on a Good Friday. Vera and Floyd were married one year later. She raised two daughters and worked with her husband at her side at Floyd's Jewelry and Gifts. She worked in the retail business for 43 years.
Retirement gave her time to create oil paintings, quilts, pine needle baskets, china painted dolls, and many other crafts. Vera looked forward to their winter trips to Arizona to be with dear friends from DeSmet and to meet new friends. Highlights of their retirement years included taking their grandchildren camping in the Black Hills, traveling to many states in their R.V., helping build the family lake cabin, and socializing with friends in DeSmet.
Vera was a member of the De Smet Study Club and Twenty Club. She enjoyed being involved at the American Lutheran Church, and held offices in the A.L.C.W., taught Sunday School, and accomplished a three year bible study with Floyd. Vera spent hours making quilts for missions.
For health reasons, she and her husband moved to Brookings to be near their family in November 2008. Vera was a dedicated caregiver to her husband, and made the most of every day they had together. She continued to enjoy time spent with family, trips to the lake, and spending time sewing, baking, and completing puzzles.
Vera was survived by her daughters, Linda Hegg of Roseville, MN; Laurel Wengler and son-in-law, Mike Wengler, of Brookings, SD; five grandchildren: Erik Hegg (Kirsten), Karin Twigg (Christian), Jerrod Wengler (Melissa), Crista Saeger (Lee), and John Wengler (Elizabeth); 14 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a dear friend, Vivian Bjordahl.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Abrahamson, her parents, Edwin and Kneola Grotta and her sisters, Betty Hannah and Donna Pederson.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Lutheran Church in De Smet, SD or the Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings, SD.
When: May 18, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location: American Lutheran Church - DeSmet
Address: 411 4th St SW DeSmet SD SD 57231
When: May 18, 2021 1:00pm
Location: American Lutheran Church - DeSmet
Address: 411 4th St SW DeSmet SD SD 57231
Visitation will be at the church on Tuesday, prior to the service, starting at 12:00 p.m.
Burial will be at the De Smet Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers are Rich Abrahamson, Curtis Gerald and Mel Duncan. Active pallbearers are: Dan Pederson, Bill Driscoll, Mark Stearns and Dallas Hofer.
Vera was born to Edwin Grotta and Kneola Wilcox Grotta at their farm home near De Smet SD. She attended country school the first eight years, and graduated from De Smet High School. World War II changed plans for many graduates that year, and higher education was put on hold for Vera. She found work in Aberdeen, advertising and displaying merchandise for JC Penney for several years. She then moved to Sioux Falls and worked at the Fantles Department store to do the same type of work.
Due to her mother's health, she moved back to De Smet and worked for JC Penney and Heinz Market. Vera met the love of her life on Main Street in De Smet, SD on a Good Friday. Vera and Floyd were married one year later. She raised two daughters and worked with her husband at her side at Floyd's Jewelry and Gifts. She worked in the retail business for 43 years.
Retirement gave her time to create oil paintings, quilts, pine needle baskets, china painted dolls, and many other crafts. Vera looked forward to their winter trips to Arizona to be with dear friends from DeSmet and to meet new friends. Highlights of their retirement years included taking their grandchildren camping in the Black Hills, traveling to many states in their R.V., helping build the family lake cabin, and socializing with friends in DeSmet.
Vera was a member of the De Smet Study Club and Twenty Club. She enjoyed being involved at the American Lutheran Church, and held offices in the A.L.C.W., taught Sunday School, and accomplished a three year bible study with Floyd. Vera spent hours making quilts for missions.
For health reasons, she and her husband moved to Brookings to be near their family in November 2008. Vera was a dedicated caregiver to her husband, and made the most of every day they had together. She continued to enjoy time spent with family, trips to the lake, and spending time sewing, baking, and completing puzzles.
Vera was survived by her daughters, Linda Hegg of Roseville, MN; Laurel Wengler and son-in-law, Mike Wengler, of Brookings, SD; five grandchildren: Erik Hegg (Kirsten), Karin Twigg (Christian), Jerrod Wengler (Melissa), Crista Saeger (Lee), and John Wengler (Elizabeth); 14 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a dear friend, Vivian Bjordahl.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Abrahamson, her parents, Edwin and Kneola Grotta and her sisters, Betty Hannah and Donna Pederson.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Lutheran Church in De Smet, SD or the Ascension Lutheran Church in Brookings, SD.
Service Details.
Visitation
When: May 18, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location: American Lutheran Church - DeSmet
Address: 411 4th St SW DeSmet SD SD 57231
Service
When: May 18, 2021 1:00pm
Location: American Lutheran Church - DeSmet
Address: 411 4th St SW DeSmet SD SD 57231
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vera L. Abrahamson, please visit our floral store.
Friends and family have shared their relationship to show their support.
How do you know Vera L. Abrahamson?
We are sorry for your loss.
Help others honor Vera's memory.
Email
Print
Copy
Services
Ongoing
Online Event
Online Event
In Loving Memory Of
Vera Abrahamson
November 2, 1924-May 15, 2021
Look inside to read what others
have shared
Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book.
Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book.
You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Vera L. Abrahamson
© 2024 Crawford Osthus Funeral Chapel. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility