Katherine Abakumoff

Katherine Abakumoff, 93, was born on March 1, 1930, in Guadalupe, Mexico, as the youngest of eleven children and passed away on February 11, 2024, in Clovis, California surrounded by her loving family. 

She spent her life dedicated to the Lord and actively serving her community. After accepting Christ as her savior through the ministry of Jack Green and the YRCA, she followed God’s call to minister to the Molokan youth. For over sixty years, she spearheaded Sunday school classes and girls clubs, as well as founded the UMCA Library and Heritage Museum with the assistance of wonderful support staff. Through the decades of service, she mentored those who served alongside her and became a favorite teacher of her students.

Katherine was a life-long learner. Habitually pouring over the Bible, she unabashedly lived her faith according to her life verse, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). A ‘prayer warrior’ in every sense of the word, she prayed faithfully for her family and for any needs brought to her. 

She was a true farmer’s daughter – her garden was her joy. Everything she touched grew larger than life. Also an avid crafter and knitter, she kept her loved ones warm with her famous knit hats topped with huge pompoms. Known for her love of stories and storytelling, she cataloged the growth of her family through photographs and researched family and Molokan history in the Guadalupe valley. She stayed busy to her last days at her home in Clovis, where she texted with family and friends on her iPhone and iPad as skillfully as a teenager. 

Using her vision, leadership, and talents for God’s glory, Katherine inspired and encouraged everyone she met. She will be deeply missed. 

She is preceded in death by Willie, her husband of 56 years, and is survived by her daughter Karen Eropkin and husband William; her daughter Nancy Bagdanov and husband John; her grandchildren Evan and Tamara Eropkin, Rebekah Eropkin, Seth and Ashley Bagdanov, Ethan Bagdanov, and Mikaela Bagdanov; and her great grandsons Alek Eropkin, Noah Bagdanov, and Clayton Bagdanov.