John Francis Abeld

John Francis Abeld, 75, of Crookston, MN, passed away at his home Friday evening, March 8, 2024, with his loving family at his side. He had been courageously battling cancer for several years.

John was born at Austin, MN on June 23, 1948, the son of Richard and Evelyn (Bissen) Abeld. He was baptized and received first communion at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in nearby Rose Creek, MN where he grew up. John began his education in the St. Peter’s Catholic School. In 1958 the family moved to Crookston where John attended and graduated from Central High School with the Class of 1966. While in school and after graduation he worked alongside his father and brother, James, on the family’s farm in Parnell Township. In the spring of 1968 John entered the US Army and served as a Chaplain’s Assistant in Viet Nam. Following his honorable discharge in 1970 he returned to Crookston and resumed working on the farm. On December 7, 1973, John was united in marriage to Carol Jean Edna Carlson at St. Dorothy’s Catholic Church in Dorothy, MN, the church where John was confirmed. He and Carol made their first home in Crookston Township where they started their family which would grow to include Tracy, Lisa, Tammy, Richard, John, and Jeff. They later moved a little further north of Crookston to Parnell Township. In 1998 John and Carol moved into Crookston. No matter where he and Carol called home John didn’t retire from farming until he was called to his heavenly home last Friday evening. 

John enjoyed fishing and hunting but one of his favorite pastimes was working on his lawn and landscaping his back yard, making it into a beautiful and serene spot where he could share special moments with Carol and their family. He loved his kids and their families dearly and he and Carol were so proud of each and every one of them. Still being able to kid and tease the grandkids was the best medicine he could ever have even as he continued to grow weaker with each passing day.

John was a devoted member of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception parish and also held membership in Crookston VFW Post 1902. 

John will be very sadly missed and lovingly remembered by Carol, his wife and best friend for over 50 years; their 5 children: Lisa Thoreson of Grand Forks, ND, Richard Abeld, John Abeld, Tammy and Billy Dickerson, and Jeff Abeld, all of Crookston; son-in-law, Bill Amiot of Thief River Falls, MN; a very special person in the lives of Carol and her family as she grew up with them, Dawn Resendiz of Gary, MN; 17 grandchildren: Christopher Amiot, Ashley (Michael) Berry, Garrett and Gabby Thoreson, Katie Ann, Samantha, Robert, and Laney Dickerson, Michael (JayDee) Abeld, Justin and Marissa Abeld, Brady Ronnie, and Stella, Jonathan, Ryan, Thomas, and Allison Abeld; 2 great-grandchidren, Valerie and Lilah Borges; 4 siblings: James and Carol Abeld of Crookston, Mary Lizotte of Eloy, AZ, Jean E. and Rick McAndrew of Hermiston, OR, and Carol and Gordy Royal of Gold Canyon, AZ; and from Carol’s family: brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: David Carlson of Crookston, Dennis and Jo Carlson of Hurst, TX, and Larry Middleton of Hillsboro, MO; together with several nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

In addition to his beloved daughter, Tracy Lynn Amiot, who sadly passed away on August 26, 2018, John is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Evelyn Abeld; brother-in-law, Doug Lizotte; parents-in-law, Woodrow “Woody” and Stella “Topsy” Carlson; and sisters-in-law, Shirley Ann Carlson and Donna Middleton. 

May God richly bless the memory of John Francis Abeld to all who were a part of his life.     

 Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston on Friday, March 15^th from 5-7:00 p.m., with a prayer service and sharing of memories at 7:00 p.m. This will be livestreamed by going to John’s obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to view. 

The Mass of Christian Burial honoring John’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2024, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston with Msgr. David Baumgartner, presiding. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the funeral which will be livestreamed on both www.crookstoncathedral.com and  www.stenshoelhouske.com. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery. Messages of condolence to Carol and the family may be offered on the funeral home’s website. Military Honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council and the Minnesota National Guard Honors Tea