Phyllis Gabrielson

Phyllis E. Gabrielson, age 77, of Litchfield, died on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009 at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Litchfield. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2009, at 1:00 PM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Lindhorst officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening at Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home from 4:00 until 8:00 PM and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Lake Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield. Phyllis Elaine Gabrielson was born April 21, 1931, in Ellsworth Township to Laurence and Frieda (Wallmow) Martens. She attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1949. Phyllis met the love of her life, Kenneth Gabrielson, during childhood when they were neighbors. On October 15, 1949, they were united in marriage at the St. Peters Lutheran Church in Ellsworth Township. Phyllis and Ken moved into Litchfield after Ken returned from serving his country during the Korean Conflict. Phyllis and Ken were blessed with five children. Being a mom, and later a grandmother and great-grandmother, were gifts Phyllis cherished. Faith was an important part of Phyllis’s life and in 1964, they became members of the St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Phyllis remained a faithful and active member, participating in Vespers Guild and the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Choir, until her death. She was very much looking forward to attending church this Easter Sunday when she was called Home. In addition to raising her family, Phyllis worked for Augustana Homes at Bethany Home for 24 years. She retired in the early 1990s allowing her time to volunteer at the Meeker Memorial Hospital Gift Shop and be able to spend more quality time with Ken. Very rarely was one seen without the other. They spent their time together traveling, having traveled to Hawaii and Branson several times along with the trip to Europe with the Litchfield Area Male Chorus. Phyllis enjoyed camping and family gatherings. She could also be found at a variety of establishments doing one of her favorite hobbies-shopping. Phyllis had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. Her many friendships were a reflection of the kind and giving person Phyllis was. Phyllis is survived by her husband Ken; children, Ron (Faye) Gabrielson of Lake City, Karen (Lee) Marwede of Minnetonka, Dan (Kari) Gabrielson of Maple Grove, Jane (Mark) Peterson of Bird Island, Sandy (Scott) Stockland of Willmar; 11 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren & one brother LeRoy (Dorothy) Martens of Pelican Rapids. Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, sister Maxine Miller and infant grandson. Please sign our online guestbook at www.johnsonhagglund.com