Obituary
Kirk Alan Aberg, 68, better known as Abe, of San Marcos, California passed away peacefully on January 2, 2025 from cancer. His wife Angela was with him when he passed. Abe fought the good fight against cancer; he never complained or felt sorry for himself. He faced his impending passing with strength and fortitude.
Abe was born on August 8, 1956 in Cresco, Iowa to Eugene E. Aberg and Dorothy M. Aberg (Blaser). He grew up in Cresco and graduated from Crestwood High School in 1975. Abe participated in cross country, wrestling, and track while in high school. He had many friends in his childhood and high school years. At an early age he learned the value of hard work. Abe loved to work.
Abe married Jayne Gansen in 1974. They were married until 1990. They welcomed two boys, Brian 1975, and Brandon in 1980. Abe joined the United States Marine Corps in 1975. He served for 12 years and was honorably discharged in 1987. He loved serving in the Corps. The best thing that ever happened to Abe was joining the United States Marine Corps. It gave him a keen sense of discipline and a work ethic that carried him through his life. He made many friends while in the Corps and maintained many of those friendships throughout his life.
After discharge from the Corps, Abe started to work for Free Builders in San Marcos in 1987. Abe forged a good working relationship with Joe Free and together they made Free Builders a successful company. Abe had an amazing memory for the operations of Free Builders, and when he received orders by phone, he was able to quote all the requested information from memory. He would get up at 4:30 am to get to work early and would work late too. Many times, Abe worked six days a week. He loved working at Free Builders. He was employed at Free Builders until his passing.
Abe was married to Michele Wyatt from 1994 to 1999.
Abe met Angela Klingbail in 2004 and married in 2013. Angela was by Abe’s side as he fought against cancer and took loving care of him to the end. His sons Brian and Brandon, brother Jim and sister Erica, family and friends, all spent quality time with Abe before he passed.
Family and friends always came first for Abe. He enjoyed showing out-of-town guests the sights of Southern California and his favorite restaurants. Abe was very generous to his family and friends, oftentimes paying for flights, travel, lodging, and meals for others. He also would help friends when they needed financial assistance. When Abe would come across homeless or down on their luck veterans, he would buy them meals, groceries, and befriend them.
He is survived by his wife Angela (Klingbail) Aberg, son Brian Lee Aberg (wife Brigita) and Brandon Alan Aberg (Nick Woodworth), stepson Walker A. Josey, granddaughter Scarlet Rose Aberg and grandson Eugene Gunner Aberg, step grandson Damian Herlevic, brother James Edward Aberg, sister-in- law Kathy Aberg (husband Donald Aberg), sister Erica (Aberg) Tlusty (husband Mark), many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.
Abe is proceeded in death by his father, Eugene, mother Dorothy, brother Donald (Fred), niece Alicia, and nephew Jacob.
Abe is a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend. Semper Fi Abe, we will always love and miss you.
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I first met Abe in 1985 when I was sent to the University of New Mexico as part of a Navy commissioning program. At the time, I was an active duty Chief Petty Officer (E-7), attached to the Navy ROTC unit, and Abe was serving as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (AMOI), a Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) in the Marine Corps.
What immediately stood out about Abe was his deep respect for the enlisted men who came through the unit as officer candidates. He had a genuine bond and affinity for our group that year, and it showed in the way he led us. He challenged us to rise to the highest standards, and through his compassionate yet firm leadership, we met those challenges—both physically and militarily. Abe was a role model for all of us, whether we were prior enlisted or traditional ROTC candidates. His love for the Marine Corps was evident, and he took great pride in shaping young men into leaders.
Even after Abe left the university, we stayed in touch. He was always available, always supportive. I can remember driving from Albuquerque to San Diego just to spend time with him—crashing on his couch, riding along on Free Builder runs, and simply enjoying his company. There was something about being around him that made you better.
Abe was a hardworking, compassionate man who left this world far too soon. But I don’t have to look any further than his family—his sons, his wife—and the countless friends he surrounded himself with to know the incredible impact he had on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
I will miss him deeply.
I still talk to him every day. He is probably laughing with me frequently because I am still not as "street smart" as he would want me to be. Although, I am getting better every day.
I Love you.
With Love,
The McDonald family.
The Cannons
Abe did have that sense of humor. If you walked into the office and he was on the phone you became the brunt of the joke to the person on the other end of the line. Here comes trouble. My worst nightmare just walked in. I know he had such a big heart and he always made you feel so welcome. I am glad I got to let him know that I really appreciated him and his experiences that he shared over the years.❤️ He taught me a lot about myself.
Ride in Paradise my friend!
May his memories be a blessing to all.
Abe had a great sense of humor. I used to love his sarcasm when I would come in.
Always making fun of us dumb plasters.. We would go round and round and at the end, he would always say, have a great day sincerely.
I really miss seeing him when I come in to free.
Rest in peace, Abe.
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