Obituary: Harriet Abels

Harriet Jane Abels of Sioux Falls, passed away May 11, 2012.

She was born August 20, 1938, in Sioux Center, IA, the daughter of Ray and Grace (Leusink) DeWeerd. She attended country school in George, IA.

Harriet lived in many areas in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota and was married to Elray Abels on September 3, 1956. Together they had 6 children. They farmed together for many years by Wilmont, Ocheyedan, Sibley, and Adrian.

She worked at Nickerson Farms, and nursing homes in Adrian, Ellsworth, and Worthington. She was a Baker for 35 years with Hy-Vee Food Stores in Worthington, MN, Lincoln, NE, and Sioux Falls, SD. After retiring from Hy-Vee, she worked with Baltic, SD School and Roosevelt School in Sioux Falls.

Harriet is survived by her six children, Gary (Laurie) Abels, Brewster, MN, Marvin (Marsha) Abels, Montrose, SD, Linda VanderHagen, Lincoln, NE, Brian Abels, Montrose, SD, Lisa (Ron) Scholz, Lincoln, NE, Darla (Dave) Ling, Renner, SD. She is also survived by a brother, Charles-Bud (Janet) DeWeerd, Copperas Cove, TX; sisters-in-law, Lorraine DeWeerd, El Paso, TX, Katheryn DeWeerd, Benton, AK, 17 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends. She was preceded in death by Elray Abels, her parents, sisters, Trina Schumck and baby Harriet, and brothers, Henry (Hank) DeWeerd and John DeWeerd.

She was a true gift to all who knew her.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at the Benson Funeral Home Chapel in Worthington, MN, with the Rev. James Krapf officiating. Casket bearers will be Eric Abels, Scott Abels, Brent Abels, Karri Abels, Kelsey Abels, Shannon Moon, and Brandon Wissink. Honorary bearers will be Randy VanderHagen, Cayden Ling and Bennett Ling. Burial will be in the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley, IA.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at Benson Funeral Home in Worthington.

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