Shirley "Sheri" (Johnson) Abt

Shirley “Sheri” (Johnson) Abt, 93, of Bellingham, WA, peacefully passed away on November 16, 2025.

Sheri was born in New Hampton, IA on February 17, 1932 to Ole Andrew and Sophia (Ronnei) Johnson. She earned a nursing degree, but eventually moved to the East Coast. While doing secretarial work, Sheri met Ed (Edgar) Abt – it was love at first sight, and they were married 6 months later on June 6, 1953. After raising their children, she went back to work in banking to help their daughters through college. After Ed passed away, Sheri moved to Bellingham in 2015 and resided at Brookdale Fairhaven Assisted Living.

Sheri’s family was her greatest love, followed by her Yankees and Packers. Her hearing service dog Murphy (who passed away in 2020) held a very special place in her heart. Sheri was a truly kind and good person, a wonderful mother, and the best friend you could ever have. She will be greatly missed.

Sheri is survived by her three children Michelle McLear (Bob) of North Aurora, IL, Terri McCalla (Tom) of Bellingham, WA, and Robert Abt (Lynette) of Elk River, MN; her sister JoAn Blietz (LaVern); seven grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Sheri was preceded in death by her husband Ed (Sept. 2014), her parents, and five siblings Eileen, Lorraine, Gladys, A. Donald, and Alvin “Avey”.

In lieu of flowers, Sheri requested that any memorials be made to Dogs for Better Lives (formerly Dogs for the Deaf) at https://dogsforbetterlives.org/ or the Max Higbee Center in Bellingham, WA at https://maxhigbeecenter.org/.

A memorial celebration of Sheri’s life will be held at Brookdale Fairhaven Assisted Living (2600 Old Fairhaven Parkway, Bellingham WA) on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2:00 pm. A family gathering will be held in Minneapolis in 2026 to celebrate Sheri’s life.