Fay Abentroth

Fay Lawrence Abentroth, age 80, rural Cummings, ND died Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at Halstad Living Center, Halstad, MN, under the care of Hospice. Fay Lawrence Abentroth was born April 26, 1926, twin of Ray Abentroth, to Charles and Daisy (Bingham) Abentroth, of rural Cummings, ND. Fay grew up on the family farm, west of Nielsville, MN and attended Bingham School, graduating from Caledonia High School in 1944. Fay and Ray took over the family farm with the untimely death of their father in 1943. They farmed all their lives and Fay?s love of farming and their beautiful farm were widely known in the area. On January 22, 1950, Fay married Vida Reitan of Halstad, MN. Fay built their home on the family farm, just feet away from where he was raised. Ray and Lorraine continue to live in another home on the same farm. On July 12, 1954, Vida and Fay had a daughter, Elizabeth Anne. Fay and Ray shared a love of baseball, with Fay usually pitching and Ray usually catching. They played for the Nielsville team and their reputation as excellent players spread throughout the community. Fay, Vida, and Elizabeth also enjoyed fishing and would take vacations at Lake of the Woods. Fay and Vida liked to square dance in the area. Fay was an excellent rifle marksman, carrying the title of Master Small Bore Rifle Marksman, and took part in competitions at the Halstad Rifle Club. He also was a AA Trap Shooter. Vida passed away on April 3, 1966. In 1967, Fay was fortunate to meet Lydia Utech of Moorhead, MN, and the couple was married on August 19, 1967. They continued to farm in the area. Fay and Lydia also liked camping and fishing, and spent 21 enjoyable winters in Mesa, Arizona. There Fay continued his ball playing and shooting passions by playing softball and trap shooting. Mr. Abentroth was excited to be able to shoot 100 out of 100 clay pigeons more than once and won some Arizona state tournaments. Fay was also a master woodworker, mostly self-taught. In the winters, he and Ray did many beautiful remodeling and building projects, including the new sanctuary of the Hillsboro United Parish in 1979, and the entire interior of his daughter and son-in-law?s home in Halstad in 1977. Fay will always be remembered as a wonderful family man. His family, including his wife, daughter, grandchildren, siblings, and extended family were always a top priority. Fay also will be remembered as a kind, Christian man. He was an active member of the Hillsboro United Parish all his life, and served many years in the Men?s Club of the church. Fay is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth (Harlan) Rise of Halstad, MN; his granddaughters, Sheila Rise of Lakeville, MN, and Andrea Rise of Moorhead, MN; three brothers, Ray (Lorraine) of Cummings, ND, Erle Abentroth of Hillsboro, ND, and Lloyd Abentroth of Fargo, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Vida; his second wife, Lydia; and three nephews, Robert Abentroth, Charles Abentroth, and Jon Abentroth. The funeral will be Friday, July 7, 2006 at 2 p.m. at Hillsboro United Parish UCC-UMC, Hillsboro, ND. Visitation will be Friday in the church one hour before the funeral service. Arrangements entrusted to Wildeman Funeral Home, Hillsboro, ND