Abbie L. Pannkuk
Tuesday, November 30, 1982
Date of Death:
Monday, December 18, 2023
Age:
41 years old
Tuesday, November 30, 1982
Date of Death:
Monday, December 18, 2023
Age:
41 years old
Tuesday, November 30, 1982
Date of Death:
Monday, December 18, 2023
Age:
41 years old
Abbie L. Pannkuk
Our beautiful Abbie Louise Pannkuk, of Esko, Minnesota, unexpectedly passed away at 41 years young on December 18, 2023. She was born to Mary and Darrell Fleischman in Rochester, Minnesota, on November 30, 1982.
Abbie graduated from Lourdes High School in 2001 and attended the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), graduating in 2005. In 2007, Abbie followed her passion for working with children and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology.
She married the love of her life and best friend, Ian, on August 14, 2004, at a beautiful outdoor ceremony on the shores of Lake Superior. Abbie and Ian have an extraordinary daughter, Effie, and together they made the perfect trio.
Abbie worked professionally as a speech-language pathologist for more than 16 years at By Word of Mouth LTD, Cloquet Memorial Hospital, and for the last eight-plus years with Hermantown School District, working directly with students from birth to five in early childhood education.
In Abbie’s spare time, she loved agate hunting, gardening, art, movies (especially Guardians of the Galaxy), UMD Bulldog hockey, spending time with her family, and nachos and margaritas on a sunny patio. She was the organized middle sister who kept her family on task and on time (or at least tried to). Recent memories include a family trip to Disney World, watching Effie ski race, and coaching youth soccer. Abbie and Ian were in the early stages of planning a 20th-anniversary trip to wine country in California. Abbie will be profoundly missed by her family, friends, colleagues, and students (past and present). We take great solace in knowing that Abbie has positively impacted many lives over the years.
Abbie is survived by her loving husband, Ian Pannkuk; their daughter Effie Pannkuk; her mother, Mary Fleischman; and her sisters, Sarah (Mike) Montgomery and Teresa (Conner) Reed; her in-laws Carol and Terry Therneau, and her niece and nephew, Finley and Declan Reed. She was preceded in death by her father, Darrell Fleischman.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2023, in Rochester, Minnesota, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, with Rev. Charlotte Frantz officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:30, and the service starts at noon.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be designated to Effie’s college fund or the Mont du Lac Ski Racing Scholarship fund.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
Condolences
The family of Abbie L. Pannkuk has received the following condolences.
I knew Abbie on a professional level. I work in a neighboring school district. Abbie and I collaborated on students’ needs and how to best provide those supports. She was easy to work with and could tell that she was a great therapist. My deepest condolences to her family, coworkers, students, and families that she worked with.
Abbie touched the lives of many people and the students she worked with. I have gotten to know her the last 9 years while working at the Hermantown Elementary school. She is going to be greatly missed!
Sending you all thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Stacy
Ian, Effie and family,
We are so incredibly sorry for your loss.
We met Abbie years ago through Mikey and Sarah. Her and Ian were always so fun to be around. We are very grateful for being able to know her and spend time with her.
We’re thinking of everyone during this difficult time.
With Love,
Tish and Justine Luther
Our Abbie will be remembered for her bright and cheerful soul. She was always so helpful and kind, and such a great friend. Abbie will be missed and loved forever.
I am so sorry. Abbie’s spirit always brightened the room. I wish you all the best through this terrible time.
Oh Theresa, Our hearts break for you and your families. So painful. So very sorry for your loss of someone so dear and full of life to live. Way too young. We will help support Effies College Fund.Sincerely,sharon and Steve Nigon
Abbie has been my daughter Emmi's speech therapist for these past few months. We moved to Duluth from out of state and Abbie went above and beyond to get her IEP transferred over to MN. My daughter is bilingual (I am from Germany) and it was important to Abbie for my daughter to also be evaluated in German, her native language. So she spent extra time and effort finding a German interpreter and setting up that part of the evaluation in addition to all the other parts. My daughter truly *loved* seeing Abbie every week; she and Abbie would spend a lot of time playing with Abbie's dollhouse. It was so special to see Emmi's eyes light up each time she saw Abbie. For Christmas this year, Emmi got a dollhouse from Santa and while playing with it, I overheard her calling one of the dolls ‘Abbie’ and I so wish I could have told Abbie. I still cannot believe she’s no longer with us and am heartbroken for her beautiful family. Abbie may have been my daughter’s speech therapist, but more than that she became a friend to us who I will think of every time Emmi plays with her dollhouse or tells us a story. Thank you, Abbie, for everything.
Ian and Effie
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss of Abbie, I have had her in my daily thoughts and prayers. Wishing you peace at this difficult time. Our hearts go out to both of you.
Sincerely, the O'Connor Family
Ian, Effie and family,
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. There were so many enjoyable times with Abbie on the Wisconsin River. She was a ray of sunshine.
It was an honor and a privilege to know you. You will be deeply missed, you will be in my thoughts and prayers. May your soul rest in peace in heaven.
My first impression of Abbie was that she was so joyful and full of fun. I have such great memories of our trip to the BWCA and of the friendship that built. Ian and Effie, and the rest of the family, you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Sorry for your loss our thoughts are within your heart your loved one is home in heaven but the memories of her are never forgotten she will be forever in your heart. We all love you very much .❤️??❤️❤️???❤️
I’m so very sorry to hear of Abbie’s passing. I was her clinical instructor in the grad program at UWRF. She was a gifted therapist and I have no doubt she will be greatly missed by the families she impacted. My sincere condolences to her family and friends. May the good memories of time spent together serve to ease your grief in time. ❤️
Sorry for your loss our thoughts are within your heart your loved one is home in heaven but the memories of her are never forgotten she will be forever in your heart. We all love you very much .❤️??❤️❤️???❤️
My deepest sympathies to Ian, Effie and your whole family.
Abbie was not only a dedicated, talented co-worker, she was my supportive, energetic friend. The last few years Abbie and I worked closely together. We shared many students, as well as many, many personal hilarious and serious life stories.
I am terribly sorry for your (our) tragic loss. Praying that sweet memories may bring some comfort during difficult times.
Abbie brought smiles and laughter to so many. I have many great memories with Abbie in high school, and although attending different colleges, moving, and the busyness of life sent us in different directions, I will always remember the endless laughs we had together. Thinking of Ian, Effie, and their whole family during this difficult time.
-Katie
We all enjoyed working with Abbie and will miss seeing her smiling face in the building. We are thinking of her family during this difficult time.
With peace,
Hermantown Elementary School Staff
We were all so lucky to have Abbie in our lives. Wrapping you all in love and care and happy memories.
Katie
Dear Abbie’s family,
So incredibly sorry for the sudden loss of Abbie! She has always been a wonderful coworker and has become a dear friend over the last nine years! I will cherish all our work memories forever. The families we shared, absolutely adored her and were so thankful for all the things that she did for them and their child! You are all in my thoughts and prayers!
Sincerely,
Becky Lent