Eugene Leon Abraham

Eugene (Gene) Abraham, a career officer with the Minnesota State Patrol passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday June 20, 2019 at his home in Rush City.

Gene was born on November 28, 1936 to Reuben and Laura Abraham in Florence Minnesota. He was later joined by his three younger sisters Vonnie, Darleen and LuJean. Gene graduated from Ivanhoe high school and went on to work with Honeywell in Minneapolis. While working in the Twin Cities he met his future wife Judy Dukeman. Gene and Judy fell in love and were married on April 12, 1958. The new couple soon welcomed their two children Ron and Debbie into their family. Soon thereafter in 1962, Gene answered his true calling when he fulfilled his childhood dream of serving as an officer with the Minnesota Highway Patrol.

They lived in the Minneapolis area for the first year or so, then Gene had the opportunity to relocate to the North Shore of Lake Superior in Two Harbors. There, Gene flourished in his new career as a Patrol Officer. While working the North Shore, he met two of his new MSP partners, Robert Kind and Bob Laakso, who became his life-long friends. Gene loved the North Shore, but after five years wanted to move back to southwest Minnesota where he grew up. Gene and the family moved to Ivanhoe which is near the family farm in Arco where he spent countless hours helping his dad with the farm chores.

Gene had many interests throughout his life including competitive pistol shooting. He joined the State Patrol pistol team in 1970 where he won first place in Tyro Class. He soon became a Distinguished Master and was always at the top of the leader board for 22 years until he retired from the State Patrol in 1992. He also loved flying and joined the Civil Air Patrol where he earned his wings in 1987. Gene was also quite a handy man and a wood working craftsman which allowed him the joys of refurbishing antique furniture.     

All of the people that his life touched including his family and friends will miss him dearly. He is now with his Lord Jesus in Heaven where he can return to his hobby as a woodworking craftsman.

Gene is survived by his wife Judy Abraham of Rush City; children Ron (Renee) Abraham of Watertown, Tennessee, Deb (Philippe) McCurdy of Payson, Arizona; 6 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; siblings Vonnie Shilling of North Carolina, Darleen Taveirine of Lynd, LuJean (Bill) Cropsey of Oakdale; sister-in-law Joan (Lyle) Sikkink of Rush City; nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents Reuben and Laura Abraham; granddaughter Alyssa; brothers-in-law James Shilling and Lewis Taveirine.

Pastor Ron Becklund will officiate at a memorial service for Gene: 12 noon; Wednesday (6/26/19) with a gathering time for family and friends one hour prior to the service all at the Olson Funeral Chapel in Rush City.

Memorial designations may be directed to Fairview Hospice CareGiver’s at Chisago City, MN.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel     www.FuneralAndCremationService.com