David Sherwood-Gabrielson

David Max Sherwood-Gabrielson, age 80, of Scandia, MN passed away peacefully on March 19, 2025. David grew up in Greeley, Colorado, the only child of Max and Josephine (Stevens) Sherwood. David would later move to Minnesota where he became a prominent Twin Cities activist. David didn’t just talk about change; he would take the lead and pave the way. He was a leader; a man of integrity that people were proud to follow. David had a passion for people with disabilities and this became the focus of his career. One of the greatest sources of pride for him was his role at the MN Dept of Economic Development (DEED) where he led a subcabinet that spanned multiple state agencies to both write and implement the Minnesota Olmstead Plan. This plan would change the future for people with disabilities in Minnesota, empowering them to live full integrated lives with freedom of opportunity and choice. It was during his time with the Legal Aid Society of Minnesota where he met the love of his life, Pamela Gabrielson of Scandia. They were married on August 27, 1983 and spent a life supporting each other’s passions and dreams. David’s greatest passion in life was for his wife, their two sons, Christopher and Andrew, and their home in Scandia. Every year in August, they would pack up and spend time together in a cabin on the Minnesota north shore. For many years, he would take his son, Christopher, to share his love of Colorado, the Rocky Mountains, and fly fishing. One year, they were blessed to share the trip as a family. David was a man of faith, an avid gardener; loving nature, music, and animals of all kinds. He loved his family most of all and he worked hard to make that love connection with each of them. These are memories that they will cherish forever. He is preceded in death by his wife, Pamela. He is survived by his children, Christopher and Andrew; and nephews, Matthew (Sarah), Daniel, and Thomas (Carlirae), and many other family and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m.. Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Elim Lutheran Church, 20971 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, Minnesota. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment at Elim Lutheran Cemetery in Scandia.