Abigail Anderson

Abigail Rachel Anderson was born in Fergus Falls, MN in 1991 along with her twin brother Benjamin. Abby passed away Saturday, August 14, 2021 in Minneapolis, MN. She grew up in Perham and graduated from Perham High School in 2010. She attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Abby was currently employed at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis and was in her second year of training to become a certified Nurse Practitioner.

Abby was enthusiastic and energetic in everything she chose to do. She participated in various sports and recreational activities growing up. She was influenced by her older siblings, especially her sister Gabriele who excelled in running. Abby loved running and cherished the time she had with her teammates and friends at Perham. She followed Gabriele to the U of Minnesota and ran for four years on the cross country team. Running continued to be a big part of her life and she was looking forward to the next 5K, half marathon, and occasional full marathon. Abby was inspired by her sister and always seemed to follow Gabe’s example and cherished her time as a Gopher runner. She was best friends with her “Big Sis” and shared running and laughter with her until Gabriele passing just over two years ago from a rare form of cancer. Gabriele started a foundation to fund rare cancer research called BRAVE LIKE GABE. Abby supported and ran for the foundation in her honor and to carry on Gabe’s legacy. She was always involved in the next run or fundraiser to honor her legacy.

Abby was a fun-loving friend and teammate. She made many friends and continued to inspire those around her with her energy, sense of humor, and positive attitude. She overcame deep grief after losing Gabriele and used her sister’s inspirational sayings and advice to make her legacy a positive one, that inspired and helped those who also had rare cancer. Abby was a happy third wheel with Gabe and Justin and later moved on to the love of her life, Peter McKeown. Abby and Peter shared a new puppy, Joy, and they were looking forward to a long and happy future together. Abby was the first sibling to hold her brother Zach’s newborn son who is the first grandchild of her parents.

Abby had many talents, and she was always trying new and different hobbies. She was a talented artist and amazed us with her drawings and pictures. She started to learn to play the guitar and sing with the tutelage of Peter. He seemed to inspire her, and she loved to sing and play over a campfire or by the sofa with friends and family. They made many treks back to the woods and played for us and amazed us with her newfound hobby. Abby also had a hand in designing the new BROOKS shoe that honored her sister’s legacy with the shoe manufacturer that continues to support the foundation. Abby made friends wherever she lived, and her smile and infectious laugh were her trademarks. Her laugh was unique and unmistakable.

Preceding Abby in death was sister Gabriele Grunewald and her grandparents Thomas Kuchera and T.C. “Bud” Anderson.

Surviving Abby are her parents Kim and Laura of New York Mills, MN; brothers Zachary, Caleb, and Benjamin, of Minneapolis; grandparents Mila Anderson of Bowman, ND and Joan Kuchera of Grand Forks, ND; along with numerous aunts and uncles, and dozens of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

If you would like to honor Abby’s legacy, please send donations to the Abigail Anderson Memorial found on the GoFundMe website and the Brave Like Gabe Foundation.

Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 23, at Washburn-McReavy Hillside Chapel, 2610 19th Ave NE, Minneapolis. Visitation will resume from 11:00-12:00 followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, August 24 at the Basilica of St. Mary, 1600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery.

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