Howard Abrahamson, 90, Grand Marais, died Nov. 27, 2019, at his home surrounded by family.
Howard was born March 7, 1929, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and was adopted by Thomas and Lucille Abrahamson from Aberdeen, South Dakota. Howard grew up and attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and graduated with a degree in business administration.
He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was an ROTC instructor at the University of Illinois. He worked for St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis and then Fairview Hospital for over 20 years as a data processing supervisor. He then worked with Nedra Mahaney, sister-in-law, with a Special Education Cooperative. Upon moving permanently to Cook County, he worked with the Grand Portage Tribal Council in employee services.
He and the family lived in three Minnesota communities: Bloomington, Jordan, and Grand Marais.
Howard served for many years on the following boards: Great River Energy, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Grand Marais Hospital, and the Arrowhead Electric Cooperative. He and Joan were honored as the Cook County Senior Citizens of the Year in 2000. As Master Gardeners, Joan and Howard were active in the planning and development of outdoor spaces in Grand Marais.
He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais.
Howard enjoyed woodworking, reading, gardening, singing in the Bethlehem Church choir, conversing with everyone, but most of all, spending time with his family.
Howard was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister and brother-in-law Hannah and Lloyd Grinde, and son Bill (William).
He is survived by his wife, Joan; children Mark (Steve Byers), Lynn Abrahamson, Lisa Rillo (Arnel); grandchildren Lana Meisner (Daniel), Victoria Fahey (Kyle), Antonio Rillo (Anna), Beckley Rumph, Naomi Smith (Mark) and Chad Byers; great-grandchildren Garrett Rillo, Jacqueline Meisner, Siena Fahey, Olivia Smith, Laiten, River, and Gentry Byers, and his sister Mary Lou Thompsen.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais. Burial will be at Fort Snelling in the spring, date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the North Shore Health Care Foundation.
To sign the online register book, visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com. Abrahamson
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