Ray Louis Abentroth, age 98, of Hillsboro, ND died Friday, December 6, 2024, at Sanford Hillsboro Long Term Care facility under the care of Hospice.
Ray was born April 26, 1926, twin of Fay Abentroth, to Charles and Daisy (Bingham) Abentroth, of rural Cummings, ND. Ray grew up on the family farm and attended Bingham School, graduating from Caledonia High School in 1944. Ray and Fay took over the family farm with the untimely death of their father in 1943. They farmed all their lives. Ray continued to help rotobeat sugar beets well into his 80s for his nephew Greg and great nephew Devin.
On July 21,1951 he was united in marriage to Lorraine Logan of Ada, MN. They built a home on the family farm and raised their two children there. Ray’s love of baseball during his high school years continued; playing independent baseball for Nielsville, with Ray catching and brother, Fay, pitching. Ray was an excellent marksman and won the state champion target rifle competition in 1957. During winter months Ray and his brother Fay did many home remodeling projects with Ray specializing in dry wall. In 1979 they led a group of church volunteers to finish the interior of the new sanctuary for Hillsboro United Parish. He also helped with home projects for both of his children and families.
Ray and his wife Lorraine spent many hours in the bleachers watching all the sporting events of their children and grandchildren; always being supportive and positive. Ray was a lifelong member of Hillsboro United Parish, serving on various committees and other community organizations.
Ray is survived by his daughter Jennifer (Dudley) Horne of Hillsboro, ND and his son, Vincent (Tracy) Abentroth of Grand Forks, ND; his grandchildren: Aimee (Eric) Halstenson, Matthew (Sarah) Abentroth), Jessica (Jack Siegel) Horne, James (Maria) Horne; and his eight great-grandchildren: Henry, Huck, Abe, Emma, Avery, Britta, Cora and Cate.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 68 years, Lorraine; his brothers Fay, Erle and Lloyd; nephews Robert Abentroth and Charles Abentroth; niece Kay Preston and great-niece Erica Kritzberger; daughter-in-law Lori Abentroth and grandson Jon Abentroth.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Hillsboro Medical Center Auxiliary or Hospice of the Red River Valley are preferred.
A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at Hillsboro United Parish Church, Hillsboro – visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Chapel in Hillsboro, ND. To sign the online guest book, please visit our website at www.bouglerfuneralhome.com