Pamela Jo Abell

In accordance with Minnesota Executive Order and CDC guidelines, a private family service will be held on Friday, May 8, at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne. The service will be recorded and placed onto this webpage by Friday afternoon for others to view. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

PAMELA JO ABELL was born July 31, 1954 to John and Virginia (DeMunck) Bode in Luverne, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Catherine Catholic Church. She received her education and graduated from Luverne High School in 1972. In 1973, Pam was united in marriage to Lloyd Reif in Luverne. The couple had two sons, Paul and Joseph, while they were married. On February 2, 1980, Pam was united in marriage to William Virkus, Sr., in Granite Falls, Minnesota. Pam was blessed with adding four step-children to her family; Cindy, Jon, Bill, Jr., and Jason. This marriage was also blessed with two additional sons, John and Christopher. Pam and Bill later divorced. Pam was united in marriage to Gary Abell on December 31, 1993 in Luverne. She was blessed with two step-children, Traci and Timothy. The couple became members of the United Methodist Church. 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 side by side until Gary passed away on May 30, 2010. Pam continued their business until her retirement in 2016. On Wednesday, April 29, 2020, Pam passed away at her home following complications from cancer at the age of 65 years, 8 months and 28 days.

Family and friends were what was important to Pam throughout her life. If there was one thing that she would wish for her children to remember is that SHE LOVED EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM WITH ALL OF HER HEART!!!

Pam is lovingly remembered by her children and step-children: 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, Minnesota, Jason (Laura) Virkus of Blaine, Minnesota; John (Lana) Virkus of Brandon, South Dakota and Christopher Virkus of Luverne; and Traci Sherman of Hendricks, Minnesota, and Timothy (Brandi) Abell of Alexandria, Minnesota; 6 grandchildren and 24 step-grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren and 19 step-great-grandchildren; aunt, Wanda Briggs of Luverne; sister, Mary (Leon) Pick of Luverne; brother, Mike (Rita) Bode of Maple Grove, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Ron Raabe of Hartford, South Dakota; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and special dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary; grandson, Michael Worlie; sister, Pat Raabe; and her parents, John and Virginia Bode.