Andrew Gabrielson

ANDREW ALLEN GABRIELSON came into the world on February 19, 1987 and left this world on February 4, 2012. In between those dates, Andy lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives! He grew up on the family farm south of Luverne, Minnesota with his parents, Greg and Joanne (Scharnberg) Gabrielson. Andy attended public school in Luverne until his senior year; then attended and graduated from Southwest Christian High School in Edgerton, Minnesota in 2005. Following graduation, he began formally dating Ashley Hanson. The couple was blessed with a daughter, Reegan, on November 19, 2008. An avid interest in weather was sparked by witnessing a tornado at age seven and Andy’s fascination with storms went on to become his life’s passion and career. From the time Andy had his driver’s license he hit the roads with his camera. He eventually began streaming live footage to the website he founded, FindTheTornado.com. Andy logged over 200,000 miles on the road and chased storms throughout 24 states, personally witnessing at least 150 twisters. Said to have a knack for predicting the location of potential twisters, he had grown a huge fan base to his website. He was a storm chaser for the Weather Channel, KSFY, and reported to CNN and other news agencies. He had appeared on “Nightline” and had been interviewed by Anderson Cooper on CNN. Last year, Andrew received a regional Emmy Award for his work and contributions to his field. On Saturday, February 4, 2012 Andy died as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Sapulpa, Oklahoma at the age of 24 years, 11 months and 17 days.

Andy was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne where he was baptized and confirmed. As a child, he loved fishing and bowling. He was already an avid bowler at the age of three. He enjoyed online racing and started racing on local tracks at the age of 15. He continued racing at many different racetracks in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota up to the present time. When he had time, he also enjoyed golfing. Andy will be remembered for his storm chasing accomplishments, but more importantly, he will be remembered by his family and friends as a man who lived life to the fullest, gave entirely of himself to pursue his passions and interests, and always placed others before his own self. Andy had a huge heart; always offering to help others without expecting anything in return.

Andy is survived by his parents, Greg and Joanne Gabrielson; soul mate, Ashley Hanson and their daughter Reegan all of Luverne, Minnesota; aunts and uncles; many cousins; and his second family, his fellow storm chasers. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Russell and Audrey Gabrielson and Dale and Arlene Scharnberg.