Elva Abrahamson

Elva "Jo" Abrahamson, age 86, of Willmar, died Monday evening, February 12, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Monday, February 19, at Tripolis Evangelical Lutheran Church near Kandiyohi with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Lundby Cemetery near Pennock at a later date. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar, www.petersonbrothers.com.

Elva Jo-Ann "Jo" Abrahamson was born on July 14, 1931 in Chandler, Minnesota, the daughter of Anna (Knapper) and Alvin Theodore Omberson. She grew up and received her education in Chandler, graduating from Chandler High School in 1949. Jo moved to Willmar and worked one year at Rice Memorial Hospital in the Housekeeping Department. She then worked at the Willmar Regional Treatment Center as a Ward Assistant until 1951. On May 15, 1951, she was married to Gale Benson in Chandler, Minnesota. Gale entered the service and Jo moved to Mankato to work in the paper box factory. When Gale returned from the service, they continued to live in Mankato until 1955 when they returned to Chandler. In 1956, they moved to Lake Wilson, where they purchased a meat market. They operated the meat market until 1957 when they moved to Willmar. Jo and Gale divorced in 1961. In 1961, Jo went to work for the University of Minnesota Poultry Lab in Willmar. On September 19, 1969, Jo was married to Delano Nels Abrahamson in Watertown, South Dakota, and they made their home for a year in Willmar and then moved south of Willmar. Del started his own business in 1970, Del's Suburban Electric. Jo also worked part time as a waitress at John's Supper Club in Willmar from 1967 to 1970. After the birth of their daughter in 1972 Jo left her job at the Poultry Lab and helped Del with his electrical business doing the bookwork. After Del's death in 1995, Jo continued to live in the country until 2014 when she moved to Copperleaf Senior Living in Willmar.

Jo was a member of Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar until around 1979, when they joined Tripolis Evangelical Lutheran Church which was closer to their home. She was active in the church and served as church treasurer for many years. Jo enjoyed learning new things and took classes in welding and sandblasting. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, canning, sewing and entertaining. Jo loved having her family and friends together, especially for the holidays and made sure there were extra things to share with those in need. There was always a cup of coffee and a baked good ready for anyone that happened to stop by for a chat or to get help to repairing something that had broken.

Jo is survived by her three children: Lorali "Lori" (and Wyck) Linder of Corcoran, Bennett Benson (and Charleen "Charlie" Fenick) of Inver Grove Heights, and Carrie (and Lori) Anderson of Willmar; four grandchildren: Catherine Linder, Thea (and Travis) Dickerson, Abbie Rasmussen, and Mya Rasmussen; a great-grandson: Finley Dickerson; two step-grandchildren: Estelle (and Joe) Sokol, and Rheta (and Derrick) Sneed; three step-great-grandchildren: Ryan Sokol, Addison Sneed, and Tristan Sneed; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Del in 1995; one brother: Allen Omberson; and one sister: Lorraine Macken.

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