Obituary for Worketu Gigessa

Woketu Gigessa was born in Wollega (Nejo) Ethiopia to her father Gigessa Sarda Kumssa and her mother Deshi Ummata. She was the fourth child of five children: Mosisssa, Etane, Daffa, and Adaba. Growing up she did not have the opportunity to go to school, but she gained wisdom through life experiences and hard work.

She was married at a young age to Abdissa Winssa and had five children: Tesfaye, Emmanuel, Demitu, Dinqnesh, and Tigist. After the death of her husband, she moved her family (along with her mother-in-law, Adde Baqssa Wayou) to Nekemte. She was financially supported by Haile Herpa (her brother-in-law), but she later started working at a Missionary housing in Nekemte where she helped take care of orphans.

She did other entrepreneurial work on the side and was determined to own her own house. She worked hard, saved money, bought land, and was heavily involved in the labor of building a house for her family.

Her home was open to many - hosting college students who didn’t have family in the area and those traveling from the countryside for hours/days. She opened her home and heart to strangers and made them feel like family; she didn’t have much, but she shared what she had with those who were less fortunate. She treated people (young and old) with dignity and valued them as God’s image bearers, becoming a mother to many.

Worketu came to America in August of 1990 and settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Her small apartment was a social gathering, used as a prayer house and safe haven for many who left their families. She was a devout lover and follower of Jesus and is known as a charter member of the first Oromo church established in Minnesota. The level of trust and respect in the church community led to her being recognized as “Mother of the Year” in 2018, an honor she held dear in her heart.

Adde Worketu was a woman of faith who lived a life of sacrifice. She was compassionate, silly, kind hearted, wise, caring and giving, and her gentle and fun spirit made people feel loved and special. She lived a full life and helped raise each of her grandchildren: Hana, Jalaalee, Elellaan, Kiyya, Titiley, Sollan, Kennaa, Iffan, Beka, Hara, Sonna and Mati. She also had the privilege of seeing five of her great grandchildren: Kaiyo, Deybi, Kobii, Liben, and Jonathan.

Worketu is survived by her Children, Tesfaye, Emmanuel, Demitu, Dinqnesh, and Tigist, her twelve grand-children, five great grandchildren, her brother Deffa, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members. She is also survived by all those who loved and called her “Imma” (mother); she will be dearly missed.

Funeral Service 1:30PM Friday, July 15, 2022 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 4101 Washington Street NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421 with interment to follow at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.