LAURIE ANN (BERNING) ABELS, age 54, of Brewster, formerly of Adrian, died Monday, February 8, 2016, at the Sanford USD Medical Center, in Sioux Falls, SD. She was born January 23, 1962, in Adrian, to Al and Gert (Boltjes) Berning. She graduated from Adrian High School in 1980.
Laurie worked as a freelance writer and graphic artist for the Worthington Daily Globe and Tri-County News. She married Gary Abels on July 3, 2009, on their acreage near Brewster. After their marriage, the couple lived near Brewster.
She painted race cars and signs, worked at the Nobles County Speedway, the Adrian Bakery, the Market Basket, the Adrian Motel, the Magnolia Steak House, the Long Branch Saloon, and Runnings in Worthington and provided daycare. Laurie & Gary owned and operated Abels Transport in Brewster. She enjoyed painting, wildlife, nature, ceramics and singing karaoke.
Laurie is survived by her husband, Gary Abels, Brewster; two children, Carrie (friend, Kyle Strampe) Domeyer, Adrian; and Josh Schuck, Brewster; two grandchildren, Cole & Colin Domeyer, Adrian; parents, Al & Gert Berning, Adrian; sister, Linda (Jerry) Heitkamp, Slayton; three brothers, Steve (Becky) Berning, Worthington; Randy (Karen) Berning, Adrian; and Brad (Jodi) Berning, Alexandria; three step children, Eric (Melisa) Abels, Hills; Scott (Heather) Abels, Sioux Falls, SD; and Brent Abels, Luverne; and six step grandchildren, Michaela & Carter Abels; and Katelyn Aderholt, Lydia, Isabel & Molly Abels.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Henry & Louise Berning; and her maternal grandparents, John & Grace Boltjes.

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