Susan Koskinen Abernathy

Susan Koskinen Abernathy Susan Koskinen Abernathy passed away on February 12, 2008 at Westminster Manor after a prolonged illness. She was 88 years old. Susan was born and raised in Hibbing, MN where she lived through high school. She was one of eight children. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Ida Koskinen and two brothers, Bill Koskinen of Bellevue, WA and George Koskinen of Anoka, MN. She is survived by two sisters and three brothers: June Keranen of Casey, IL, Rosemary Hartung of Rochester, MI, David Koskinen (Agnes) of Oldsmar, FL, Peter Koskinen (Phillis) of Hibbing, MN and Larry Koskinen (Luanne) of Coon Rapids, MN. She is also survived by Bill Koskinen's wife, Phyllis Koskinen of Bellevue, WA. Susan graduated from nursing school at Evanston Hospital which is affiliated with Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. It was there that she met K. Brooks Abernathy, her husband of 58 years. Brooks passed away February 14, 2001. Susan and Brooks lived in Winnetka, IL and Tucson, AZ for many years. In Winnetka, she was active in various charities including Trinity United Methodist Church and PEO. They relocated to Austin, TX in 1991. Together they worked, raised three children and traveled the world. Among their philanthropic projects were several professorships and scholarships they created at Northwestern University and The University of Texas at Austin. Survivors include two daughters, Lynn Stokoe (Ken) of Austin, TX and Gail Dickrell (Terry) of Cable, WI; one son, Ken Abernathy (Joanne) of Cable, WI; five grandchildren, Susan Stokoe Grundman (Rick) of Austin, Emily Stokoe Kiger (Chris) of McKinney, TX Andrew Dickrell (Michelle) of Madison, WI, Christopher Dickrell (Jill) Otsego, MN and Brook Abernathy Jaeger (Erick) of Cable, WI. She is also survived by eight great¬-grandchildren all of whom were the loves of her life. The family extends heartfelt thanks to Charlie Wormley and her staff at Charlie's Angels Home Care Assistants, Odyssey Hospice, Westminster Manor Staff and Westminster Manor Health Care Center staff for their loving care of our mother. We are profoundly grateful to all. We, her family, were truly blessed to have such a loving, generous mother and grandmother. We will sorely miss her. Plans are pending for a private memorial service at Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, Wilmette, IL or to your favorite charity. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com