Pamela J. Abell, 65, Luverne, died Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at her home of complications from cancer.
In accordance with Minnesota Executive Order and CDC guidelines, a private family service and burial will be Friday, May 8, at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. The service will be recorded and placed onto the Hartquist Funeral Home webpage by Friday afternoon for others to view. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Pamela Jo Bode was born July 31, 1954, to John and Virginia (DeMunck) Bode in Luverne. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. She received her education and graduated from Luverne High School in 1972.
In 1973 Pam married Lloyd Reif in Luverne. They had two sons, Paul and Joseph.
On Feb. 2, 1980, Pam married William Virkus Sr. in Granite Falls. In addition to his four children, Cindy, Jon, Bill Jr. and Jason, their marriage was blessed with two additional sons, John and Christopher. The couple later divorced.
Pam married Gary Abell on Dec. 31, 1993. She was blessed with two additional stepchildren, Traci and Timothy.
The couple became members of the United Methodist Church in Luverne. In addition to raising her children, Pam worked various jobs throughout her life including doing homecare for disabled adults and youth in their homes through Habilitation Services. She and Gary purchased Smokey Bear’s Pizza in 2005, where they worked until Gary died on May 30, 2010. Pam continued the business until her retirement in 2016.
Pam is survived by her children and stepchildren, Paul (Julie) Reif of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Joseph Reif of Luverne, Cindy (Steve) Taylor of Sioux Falls, Jon (Vicki) Virkus of Sioux Falls, Bill Jr. (Jen) Virkus of Litchfield, Jason (Laura) Virkus of Blaine, John (Lana) Virkus of Brandon, South Dakota, Christopher Virkus of Luverne, Traci Sherman, Hendricks, and Timothy (Brandi) Abell of Alexandria; six grandchildren; 24 stepgrandchildren; three great-grandchildren; 19 great-stepgrandchildren; a sister, Mary (Leon) Pick of Luverne; a brother, Mike (Rita) Bode, Maple Grove; a brother-in-law, Ron Raabe of Hartford, South Dakota; an aunt, Wanda Briggs of Luverne; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gary; a grandson, Michael Worlie; and a sister, Pat Raabe.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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