Lydia Abentroth

Lydia I. Abentroth, 91 of Cummings, ND, died Monday, January 23, 2006 in the Halstad Living Center, Halstad, MN. Lydia I. (Utech) Abentroth, was born July 23, 1914, to John and Louise (Behlke) Utech near Bemidji, MN. Lydia was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church near Turtle River, MN. She graduated from Clearbrook, MN, high school and completed beauty school at Fargo Hair Dressing Academy. She worked in Fargo as a hairdresser and then owned a shop in Halstad, MN, which she ran for several years. Lydia contracted tuberculosis when she was 21 and spent the next 7? years in sanitariums in MN. Wanting to help others, she began working in the sanitarium following her recovery, and also took correspondence courses. Finishing her education at St. Mary?s in Duluth in medical lab work, she worked at Nopeming State Hospital. Lydia practiced histology in Middle River and Hibbing, MN, and in the early 1960?s moved to Moorhead, MN, continuing her medical work at St. Ansgar?s Hospital. One of Lydia?s hobbies was square dancing and at the square dancing club in Halstad, MN, she met Fay Abentroth, of Cummings, ND. The couple was wed on August 19, 1967, and she became the mother of Fay?s daughter, Elizabeth, age 13. Lydia and Fay farmed in the Cummings, ND, area for over 30 years. Lydia loved flower and vegetable gardening, creating visual arts and crafts especially ceramics, quilting, cooking, and entertaining. Since her marriage, Lydia was an active member of the Hillsboro United Parish, Hillsboro, ND, contributing many of her crafts to the annual bazaar for many years. Lydia and Fay spent 21 years wintering in Mesa, Arizona, enjoying their friends, Fay?s softball games and trap shooting, and dancing. Lydia?s love of the outdoors, camping and fishing, wildlife and birds will be remembered by her family and friends. Lydia entered the Halstad Living Center in July of 2004, and lived there until her death on January 23, 2006. She will be forever cherished as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Mrs. Abentroth is survived by her husband, Fay Abentroth of Cummings, ND, her daughter, Elizabeth (Harlan) Rise, of Halstad, MN, granddaughters, Sheila Rise of Lakeville, MN, and Andrea Rise of Moorhead, MN, two sisters, Eleanor Millette, of Duluth, MN, and Lucille Hoadley, of Lowell, Arkansas, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Harold, Ed, and Don Utech. Memorial service 2:00 pm Thursday at the Hillsboro UCC-UMC. The family will meet with friends one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Wildeman Funeral Home in Hillsboro.