Judith Ann Abelson

ASHLAND, Wis. — Judith “Judy” Ann Abelson, 61, of Hurley, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, at the home of her sister in rural Ashland, after a five-year, heroic battle with cancer.

Judy was born Aug. 23, 1953, in Ashland, the daughter of Robert and Kathryn (Stelmaszewski) Zordan. She was a 1971 graduate of Ashland High School and a National Honor Society recipient and a 1978 graduate of Northland College with a bachelor’s degree in business.

On Dec. 23, 1998, she was united in marriage to Michael T. Abelson in Hurley. She was a legal administrative specialist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for more than 22 years. She was awarded the 2010 Great Lakes Agency employee of the year award and the 2011 Civil Servant of the Year award by the Federal Executive Board of Minnesota. She enjoyed baking especially her “Judy” cakes, cooking, hunting, motorcycling, as well as her pets, which included dogs, cats, birds, cows and chickens. The greatest joys in her life were her grandchildren, whom she loved very much.

Survivors include her husband, Michael, of Hurley; children, Matthew (Michelle) Lundquist, of Staples, Minn., and Christina (Tim) Holmberg, of Motley, Minn .; step-children, Kyle Abelson, of Hurley, Quinn Abelson, of San Francisco, and Eden Abelson, of Reno, Nev .; grandchildren, Jordan, Jessica and Jack Lundquist and Alexander Holmberg and Lillian Rose Holmberg, due to arrive in May; brothers and sisters, Michael (Yvonne) Zordan, of Shawano, and Denise (Kevin) Schmidt, Robert J. Zordan and Tony (Jody) Zordan, all of Ashland; many nieces and nephews; her special friends, Jon, Jennifer and River Judith Powell of Hurley, as well as her canine companion, Daisy.

She was preceded in death by her parents; aunt, Percy Muse; and father-in-law, Eugene Abelson.

A memorial service for Judy will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, at the Mountain Funeral Home in Ashland with Father Edward McKenzie, OFM and Hospice Chaplain, Andrew McGregor officiating.

A gathering of family and friends will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home in Ashland and continue until the hour of service.

Interment will be private.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Mountain Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ashland and Mellen.

Online condolences for Judy’s family may be left at MountainFuneralHomes.com.