Charles Gilby "Charley" Abbey was born
September 20, 1887, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, and died June 15, 1964, in Gilby
Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 76. He was the
son of Abner Nathaniel Abbey of Port Hope,
Durham Co., Ontario, Canada, and Emma Gilby
of York, England.
Pearl Georgina Peoples was born
September 20, 1889, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, and died December 3, 1959, in
San Diego, San Diego Co., CA, at age 70. She was the daughter of Samuel J. Peoples
and Sarah A. Derry, both of English Canada.
Charles Gilby "Charley" Abbey and
Pearl Georgina Peoples were married December 24, 1917, in the Peoples' country home in Gilby
Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.
Charles Gilby "Charley" Abbey and
Pearl Georgina (Peoples) Abbbey had five
children:
- Merle Ruth Abbey: Born October 2, 1918, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND;
Died February 7, 1998, in Grand Forks, Grand
Forks Co., ND (age 79). Married March 21, 1942, in Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND,
to Adolph Richard Kvamme: Born February 21, 1918, in North Dakota; Died July
1981 in Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND (age 63).
- Kenneth Gilby Abbey: Born November 18, 1919, in Gilby
Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND;
Living. Married August 27, 1978,
in Los Angeles Co., CA, to Beverly D. Smith: Born about 1928; Died Unknown;
Divorced August 30, 1984, in Los Angeles Co., CA.
- Donna Louise Abbey: Born May 1921 in Gilby
Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND; Died March 3, 2000, in Sharp Memorial Hospital, Community of Kearny Mesa, San Diego, San Diego Co.,
CA (age 78). Married 1947 in
California to Richard Burton James: Born May 5, 1921,
in Garnet Mesa Pct., Delta Co., CO; Died December 8, 1996, in San Diego Co.,
CA (age 75).
- Samuel Abner "Sam" Abbey: Born April 13, 1924, in Gilby
Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND; Died August 1, 2001, in Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., ND (age 77).
Lived in Oregon. Buried in a Veterans Gravesite, Sunnywood Gardens
Cemetery, Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., ND. Served in the U. S. Navy in
WWII. Never married.
- Charles Orrin Abbey: Born October
20, 1928, in Gilby Twp.,
Grand Forks Co., ND;
Died December 10, 2009, in Veteran's Administration Hospital, Fargo, ND (age
81). Married (1) 1950 to Marilyn Nygard: Born Unknown; Living: Married (2)
1986 to Marilyn (Unknown) Berg: Born July 1932 in Unknown; Living.
TIMELINE
Charles Gilby "Charley" Abbey was born
September 20, 1887, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.
Pearl Georgina Peoples was born
September 20, 1889, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.

Marriage Certificate of Samuel J. Peoples and Sarah Derry
The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 27, 1900,
shows Abner
Abbey (age 50) born August 1849 in Canada is a
farmer living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.
His wife Emma Abbey (age 52) born June 1848 in England is living there, as well as their daughter Aliecmon
Abbey
(age 14) born September 1885 and son Charles Abbey (age 12) born September 1887. Both of their children
born in North Dakota. Abner is shown as coming to the USA
from Canada in 1870. Emma was shown as coming to the USA from England in 1882.
The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 4, 1900, shows
Samuel Peokles (age 25) born June 1867 in English Canada to Ireland and
Canadian-born parents and emigrating in 1889 is a Farmer owning his own farm in
Fertile Twp., Walsh Co., ND. Living with him is his wife of 14 years, Sarah
Peokles (age 33) born July 1866 in English Canada to Massachusetts and English
Canadian-born parents, and emigrating in 1889, with all 6 of her children alive,
unmarried and living at home: Farnk Peokles (age 13) born October 1886 in
English Canada and emigrating in 1889; Robert W. Peokles (age 12) born February
1888 in English Canada and emigrating in 1889; Georgina P. Peokles (age 10) born
September 1889 in North Dakota; Gertrude M. Peokles (age 7) born May 1893 in
North Dakota; Milton E. Peokles (age 5) born January 1895 in North Dakota; and
Florance M. Peokles (age 2) born October 1897 in North Dakota.
The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 28, 1910,
shows Charley
G.
Abby (age 22) is an unmarried head of household farm laborer working out born in
North Dakota of Canadian and English parents, living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks
Co., ND. Living with him were five other people unrelated to him.
The 1910 U. S. Census taken on May 7, 1910, shows
Samuel Peoples (age 46) born in English Canada to Irish-born parents and
emigrating in 1891 and a Naturalized citizen is a General Farmer owning his own
farm in Fertile Twp., Walsh Co., ND. Living with him is his wife of 24 years,
Sarah Peoples (age 45) born in English Canada to Vermont and English
Canadian-born parents, and emigrating in 1891, with all 8 of the children born
to her still living, and all born in North Dakota to English Canadian-born
parents. The six children living at home are
all unmarried and born in North Dakota to English Canadian-born parents:
Georgina P. Peoples (age 19); Gertrude M. Peoples (age
16); Milton Peoples (age 15); Florence M. Peoples (age 13); Ethel J. Peoples
(age 9); and Harry C. Peoples (age 4). Also living there is an unrelated
servant.
The 1915 North Dakota State Census taken on
April 1, 1915, shows Charles G. Abbey (age 27) is living in Gilby Twp., Grand
Forks Co., ND. Living with him are: Albert G. Olson (age 27); Cecil E. Lee (age
20); Roy A. Harris (age 20); Warren Harris (age 22); and Heneritta Gratmo (age
40).


On June 5, 1917, the WWI Draft Registration
Card for
Charles Gilby Abbey shows he is an unmarried Farmer living in Gilby, ND.

Charles Gilby "Charley" Abbey and
Pearl Georgina Peoples were married December 24, 1917, in the Peoples' country home in Gilby
Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.
The Grand Forks Herald, Grand Forks,
ND, December 29, 1917
A Christmas day wedding of interest was
that of Miss Pearl Peoples of Park River and Charles Abbey of Gilby, N. D.,
which took place at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Peoples.
Miss Gertrude Peoples of Powers Lake, a sister of the bride, and Albert Olson of
Gilby, N. D., acted as bridesmaid and best man. Mr. and Mrs. George A. Lee and
Miss Thelma Humphrey of Grand Forks, and Robert Peoples of Ruddell, Sask., a
brother of the bride, were among the out of town guests who attended the
wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Abbey have left for California to spend the winter and
will be at home on the Abbey farm near Gilby after March 1.
The WWI Draft Registration
Card dated
September 7, 1918, shows Alton Percy Van Vorst (age 20) born March 13, 1898, with
permanent home of Paynesville, Stearns Co., MN, is employed in Farming for Chas.
G. Abbey in Gilby, ND. His nearest relative is Wallace Van Vorst of St. Cloud,
Stearns Co., MN. Leigh Larson note: Alton Percy Van Vorst is the first cousin
once removed of Charles Gilby Abbey.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 22, 1920,
shows Charles
Abbey (age 32) is a dairy farmer living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.
Living with him were his wife Pearl Abbey (age 29) as well as their five children:
daughter Merle Abbey (age 1-3/12) and son Harold Abbey (age 3/12). Both children born in
North Dakota. Also in the household were a cook and three boarders.
The 1925 North Dakota State Census taken on
April 1, 1925, shows Charles Abbey (age 37) is living in Gilby, Grand Forks Co.,
ND. Living with him are: Pearl Abbey (age 34); Merl Abbey (age 6); Donna Abbey
(age 3); Samuel Abbey (age 1); Milton Peoples (age 29); John Wansink (age 27);
and Gilbert McAlters (age 51).
The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 10, 1930,
shows Charles
Abbey (age 42) a farmer living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. Living
with him were his wife Georgina Abbey (age 39) as well as their five children:
daughter, Merle Abbey (age 11); Kenneth Abbey (age 10); Donna Abbey (age 8); Sammy
Abbey (age 5); and
Charles Abbey (age 1-6/12). All children born in North Dakota.
Pearl Georgina (Peoples) Abbey died December 3, 1959, in
San Diego, San Diego Co., CA, at age 70.
Charles Gilby "Charley" Abbey died June 15, 1964, in Gilby
Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 76.
CHARLES ABBEY
Spouse: PEARL PEOPLES
In 1915 Charley decided to go into the
dairy business. A new modern barn was constructed. (See special feature story.)
Charley had a herd of about one hundred cattle, good grades and some purebred
Holsteins which he had shipped in from Iowa. The herd included some of the
finest milch cows in the northwest. With the most up-to-date ideas in the
marketing as well as in the handling of his products, Charley established a
large milk business in Grand Forks. The quality of milk sold by the Abbey Milk
Company was very high. It was the only pasteurized milk sold in Grand Forks and
the volume of business, which was enormous, attested to the appreciation of the
wholesome product. Whole milk, cream, whipping cream, skimmed milk and
buttermilk were available. The demand for the Abbey products exceeded the supply
and an ideal plant in the city was planned for the handling of the increasing
production.
In 1915 the dairy farm had about 1,700
acres of land including spacious pastures, well shaded trees and a good supply
of water. In winter the stock was watered from a deep well, with water piped to
each individual stanchion. Besides the farm home a second house was built for
cooking and housing the hired men and cook. Everything on the farm was done by
electricity. A complete set of power driven machinery took care of the milk
through the entire process of preparing it and its products for market.
For a few short years the dairy business
seemed to be profitable, but the entire enterprise of building, construction,
maintenance, purebred cattle, labor and transportation of milk products all were
very expensive and put Charley heavily in debt. Though the dairying business was
increasing, it became too large a venture, too far from the distribution point.
Financially the overhead costs in Grand Forks became overwhelming. With much
deliberation, the decision to sell the cattle was made. At first the dairy barn
was used for a chicken project, raising capons and laying hens. Gradually
Charley went into raising Great Northern beans along with the other crops. These
beans, hand sorted and picked over, financed the college education of his sons
and daughters.
In 1917, at a 4th of July celebration in
Minto, Gilby's baseball team was scheduled to play. That same year Gertrude
Peoples of Park River had taught in the Gilby School. She knew Charley who
played on the team and introduced him to her sister, Pearl. Pearl Peoples was
the eldest daughter of eight children. Her mother was frail and much of the
responsibility for the family cooking and management fell on Pearl's shoulders.
When she was in her early 20's she went into Park River to clerk in the dry
goods section of a department store. She loved the work and her contacts with
people. She had been employed there five years when she met Charley in Minto. A
courtship began for Pearl and Charley and wedding bells were soon set. On
Christmas Eve under a large white wedding bell, at the country home of her
parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Peoples, the couple were united in marriage.
Due to inclement weather the young couple had to spend the first night on the
farm...in separate bedrooms. But the next day they left by train for an extended
honeymoon to Minneapolis and then to California for the winter, returning to the Gilby community after the first of April. Ten months following their marriage
she had her first born, followed with a child again at 13 months, 18 months and
22 months apart with the youngest born five years later. In the order of their
birth they are: Merle Ruth, Kenneth Gilby, Donna Louise, Samuel Abner and
Charles Orrin. Pearl was a busy mother and a hired girl was employed to help
during the busy seasons on the farm. She sewed for her family and participated
in local church activities, P. T. A., Homemakers and the Order of the Eastern
Star. Her parents, sisters and brothers and their families all lived within
driving distance. Family gatherings were frequent and every holiday brought all
her family together alternating the feasting and entertainment at each home.
Pearl loved picnics and lunches were always packed for trips to visit families
at a distance, at the annual county fair or just to go berry picking. The praise
and encouragement given her growing children during these years are some of
their fondest memories of her.
KVAMME, Merle Ruth Abbey and KVAMME, Adolph
Richard are buried in St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Gilby Twp., Honeyford,
Grand Forks Co., ND, along with his parents.
|
Name |
Country |
Date |
Papers |
County |
Volume |
Page |
|
Peoples, Alexander |
Ireland |
January 31, 1896 |
1st |
Walsh |
D-5 |
144 |
|
Peoples, Con |
Ireland |
November 03, 1884 |
1st |
Morton |
D-01 |
136 |
|
Peoples, Con |
Ireland |
April 05, 1880 |
1st |
Burleigh |
D-1 |
047 |
|
Peoples, George |
Ireland |
April 05, 1880 |
1st |
Burleigh |
D-1 |
046 |
|
Peoples, Hugh |
Ireland |
March 07, 1885 |
1st |
Foster |
D-1 |
044 |
|
Peoples, Hugh |
England |
August 13, 1890 |
2nd |
Eddy |
F-6 |
016 |
|
Peoples, James |
Ireland |
June 01, 1881 |
1st |
Burleigh |
D-1 |
092 |
|
Peoples, James |
Ireland |
June 19, 1891 |
2nd |
Morton |
F-12 |
183 |
|
Peoples, John |
Ireland |
May 21, 1889 |
1st |
Eddy |
D-1 |
082 |
|
Peoples, John |
Ireland |
October 03, 1896 |
1st |
Walsh |
D-5 |
205 |
|
Peoples, John |
Ireland |
October 31, 1900 |
2nd |
Walsh |
F-19 |
496 |
|
Peoples, Lizzie |
USA |
May 13, 1935 |
2nd |
Walsh |
P-30 |
020 |
|
Peoples, Robert |
Ireland |
April 02, 1880 |
1st |
Burleigh |
D-1 |
044 |
|
Peoples, Robert W |
Canada |
July 09, 1920 |
1st |
Walsh |
D-10 |
129 |
|
Peoples, Samauel Joseph |
Canada |
October 31, 1900 |
2nd |
Walsh |
F-19 |
494 |
|
Peoples, Samuel |
Canada |
November 01, 1894 |
2nd |
Walsh |
F-17 |
445 |
|
Peoples, Samuel J |
Canada |
November 02, 1896 |
1st |
Walsh |
D-5 |
285 |
|
Peoples, Samuel J |
Canada |
November 15, 1919 |
2nd |
Walsh |
F-26 |
098 |
|
Peoples, Samuel Joseph |
Canada |
June 02, 1915 |
1st |
Walsh |
D-9 |
193 |
U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 Record
about Kenneth G. Gilby
|
Name: |
Kenneth G
Abbey |
|
Birth Year: |
1919
|
|
Race: |
White, citizen
|
|
Nativity State or Country: |
North Dakota
|
|
State: |
North Dakota
|
|
County or City: |
Grand Forks
|
| |
|
|
Enlistment Date: |
2 May 1942 |
|
Enlistment State: |
Minnesota
|
|
Enlistment City: |
Fort Snelling
|
|
Branch: |
Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
|
|
Branch Code: |
Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
|
|
Grade: |
Private
|
|
Grade Code: |
Private
|
|
Term of Enlistment: |
Enlistment for the duration of the War or
other emergency, plus six months, subject to the
discretion of the President or otherwise
according to law
|
|
Component: |
Army of the United States - includes the
following: Voluntary enlistments effective
December 8, 1941 and thereafter; One year
enlistments of National Guardsman whose State
enlistment expires while in the Federal Service;
Officers appointed in the Army of |
|
Source: |
Civil Life
|
| |
|
|
Education: |
1 year of college
|
|
Civil Occupation: |
Actor (Motion picture actor. ) or Director,
Motion Picture (Motion picture director.) or
Entertainer |
|
Marital Status: |
Single, without dependents
|
|
Height: |
69
|
|
Weight: |
123
|
|
Nevada Marriage Index, 1956-2005
Nevada Marriage Index, 1956-2005
|
Name: |
Donna Louise
Abbey |
|
Gender: |
Male
|
|
Spouse: |
Roy Monroe Lacey Jr |
|
Marriage Date: |
13 Sep 1975 |
|
Marriage County: |
Clark
|
|
Officiant type: |
Civil celebrant
|
|
Recorded Date: |
17 Sep 1975 |
|
Recorded county: |
Clark
|
|
Book: |
471
|
|
Instrument number: |
808475
|
|
|
Merle Kvamme, 79, 2396 27th Ave S., died Saturday, Feb. 7, 1998, at home. Merle
Ruth Abbey was born Oct. 2, 1918, the daughter of Charles and Pearl (Peoples)
Abbey, in Gilby, N.D., where she graduated from high school in 1936. She
graduated from Mayville (N.D.) Teachers College, in 1938. She received her
bachelor of science in education in 1968 and later attended UND. She taught
rural school in Gilby and the Grand Forks Air Force Base. She married Adolph
Kvamme on March 21, 1942, in Gilby.
Published on February 10, 1998, Page 07, Grand Forks Herald (ND)
Grand Forks Herald (ND) -
February 10, 1998
Deceased Name: MERLE
KVAMME
Merle Kvamme, 79, 2396
27th Ave S., died Saturday, Feb. 7, 1998, at home.
Merle Ruth Abbey was
born Oct. 2, 1918, the daughter of Charles and Pearl
(Peoples) Abbey, in Gilby, N.D., where she graduated from
high school in 1936. She graduated from Mayville (N.D.)
Teachers College, in 1938. She received her bachelor of
science in education in 1968 and later attended UND. She
taught rural school in Gilby and the Grand Forks Air Force
Base. She married Adolph Kvamme on March 21, 1942, in Gilby.
They lived and farmed in Honeyford, N.D., before she began
her teaching career. Adolph Kvamme died July 2, 1981. She
had lived in Grand Forks since 1995.
She is survived by a son,
Richard (Beverly), Pipestone, Minn.; three grandchildren;
brothers, Kenneth, Los Angeles, Samuel, Grand Forks, and
Charles, Larimore, N.D.; and a sister, Donna James, San
Diego.
Services: 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Honeyford.
Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, with a 7 p.m. prayer service, Amundson Funeral
Home, Grand Forks, and one hour before services in the
church. Burial: St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials are
suggested to St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
The
Valley News, Van Nuys, CA, Sunday, August 30, 1970
In
Sepulveda -
SOME 50
GUESTS were entertained yesterday evening in the home of the Kenneth G. Abbey
family, 10016 Orion Ave., where they enjoyed viewing photographs of the Abbeys'
European vacation. A prime rib dinner was served, followed by a review of the
family's travels throughout Germany, Switzerland, France, England and Belgium.
The Abbeys purchased a Mercedes in Frankfurt and drove it over 4000 miles
covered during their journey.
In 1954, Ken Abbey was
chairman of International Missionary Films, a group which sends various kinds of
visual aids to missionaries in the field.
Kenneth G. Abbey (Born about 1920) and
Beverly D. Smith (Born about 1928) were married August 27, 1978, in Los Angeles
Co., CA.
Kenneth Abbey and
Beverly were divorced August 30, 1984, in Los Angeles Co., CA.
The Grand Forks Herald,
Grand Forks, ND, August 3, 2001
SAMUEL ABBEY
Samuel A. Abbey, 77, Gilby,
died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2001, in Grand Forks. Samuel A. Abbey was born April 13,
1924, the son of Charles and Pearl (Peoples) Abbey, in Grand Forks. He served in
the Navy Seabees. He was disabled in World War II. He was a resident at St.
Anne's Guest Home and had been living in the Lakota (N.D.) Good Samaritan
Center. He is survived by brothers, Orrin (Marilyn), Larimore, N.D., and Kenneth
(Grace), Monrovia, Calif. He was preceded in death by sisters, Merle Kvamme and
Donna James. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday, Amundson Funeral Home. Visitation: One
hour before services in the church. Burial: Sunnywood Garden Cemetery. Military
rites: Grand Forks American Legion Post No. 6.
The
San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego, CA,
March 10, 2000
Donna
James, 78 educator, world traveler
As a
specialist in early-childhood education,
Donna James didn't confine her concern
for kids to the classroom. In 1992, five
years after retiring from Kate Sessions
Elementary School in Pacific Beach, Mrs.
James took clothing to distribute to
needy children during visits to
Madagascar and Africa. But there was one
cultural barrier she had to surmount:
Only village chiefs were authorized to
perform such tasks. Thanks to an
intermediary, the matter was resolved,
and with the chief's permission Mrs.
James gave out dresses, pants and
shirts. Mrs. James, who taught for 30
years in the San Diego Unified School
District, was fatally injured March 3
when she was hit by a pickup truck as
she walked across Navajo Road in El
Cajon. She was 78. A few hours after the
accident, she died at Sharp Memorial
Hospital in Kearny Mesa, said her son
Kerry. El Cajon police are investigating
the accident. Mrs. James began teaching
in San Diego County shortly after World
War II, during which she had worked as a
dispatcher for Consolidated Vultee
Aircraft, the forerunner of the Convair
Division of General Dynamics. In 1963,
after earning a bachelor's degree at San
Diego State, she began a 24-year career
at Kate Sessions. While at the Pacific
Beach school, she earned a master's
degree in early childhood education from
Pepperdine University. In 1968, she
began the extensive travels that were a
highlight of her life. Her trips through
the years took her to the British Isles,
Greece, other nations in Europe, Africa,
Madagascar and India. Mrs. James served
as a mentor teacher during her career
and was active in the San Diego and
California teachers' associations and
the American Association of University
Women. For nearly a decade after
retiring, she served as historian of
United Church of Christ in La Mesa,
where she was a charter member. Mrs.
James was born in Gilby, N.D., where she
grew up on her family's farm. She began
teaching in public schools after
graduating from high school. Familiar
with San Diego from a childhood visit,
Mrs. James returned during World War II
to work in the administration office of
Consolidated Vultee, which manufactured
B-24s. Although she did not know it at
the time, her future husband, Richard,
was assigned to a B-24 bomber crew in
Italy. They married in 1947 and raised
four children in La Mesa. After her
husband's death in December 1996, Mrs.
James moved to El Cajon. In 1992, she
fulfilled a lifelong dream to tour
India. On an Indian Ocean cruise, she
visited the ports of Madagascar, the
Maldives, the Seychelles and Zanzibar.
She also toured African game parks. "At
the time of her death she still desired
to travel and had hopes of seeing the
Mayan ruins in the Yucatan," Kerry James
said. Survivors include a daughter,
Colleen Link of Lakeside; three sons,
Kerry, of San Diego, Richard, of Casa
Grande, Ariz., and Randall, of El Cajon;
three brothers, Kenneth Abbey of Los
Angeles and Samuel and Orrin Abbey, both
of Larimore, N.D.; seven grandchildren;
and a great-granddaughter. A memorial
service is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
Sunday at United Church of Christ, La
Mesa. Donations to a children's literacy
program of choice were suggested.
Christ, La Mesa. Donations to a
children's literacy program of choice
were suggested.
Grand Forks Herald (ND) -
February 10, 1998
Deceased Name: MERLE KVAMME
Merle Kvamme, 79, 2396
27th Ave S., died
Saturday, Feb. 7, 1998,
at home.
Merle Ruth Abbey was
born Oct. 2, 1918, the
daughter of Charles and
Pearl (Peoples) Abbey,
in Gilby, N.D., where
she graduated from high
school in 1936. She
graduated from Mayville
(N.D.) Teachers College,
in 1938. She received
her bachelor of science
in education in 1968 and
later attended UND. She
taught rural school in
Gilby and the Grand
Forks Air Force Base.
She married Adolph
Kvamme on March 21,
1942, in Gilby. They
lived and farmed in
Honeyford, N.D., before
she began her teaching
career. Adolph Kvamme
died July 2, 1981. She
had lived in Grand Forks
since 1995. She is
survived by a son,
Richard (Beverly),
Pipestone, Minn.; three
grandchildren; brothers,
Kenneth, Los Angeles,
Samuel, Grand Forks, and
Charles, Larimore, N.D.;
and a sister, Donna
James, San Diego.
Services: 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, St. Paul's
Lutheran Church,
Honeyford. Visitation: 4
to 7 p.m. Wednesday,
with a 7 p.m. prayer
service, Amundson
Funeral Home, Grand
Forks, and one hour
before services in the
church. Burial: St.
Paul's Lutheran
Cemetery. Memorials are
suggested to St. Paul's
Lutheran Church.
The Grand Forks Herald, Grand Forks,
Grand Forks Co., ND, December 12, 2009
Charles Orrin Abbey
Charles Orrin Abbey of Grand Forks,
ND, died Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at the Veteran’s Hospital in Fargo, ND,
surrounded by his family. Orrin was born on October 20, 1928 in Gilby, ND, the
son of Pearl and Charles Abbey. He was raised in Gilby where he graduated from
high school. Orrin attended the Wahpeton State School of Science following
graduation from high school. In 1950, Orrin married Marilyn Nygard of Grafton,
ND. They had five children together, Deborah, Karen, Merle, Kathy, and Steven.
The day before their marriage, he received notice that he was drafted. Orrin
served in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in France. He worked
as a federal potato inspector, in real estate sales, and in numerous
agriculture-related fields. Orrin was very involved in community activities
including serving as president of East Grand Forks District 595 School Board.
In 1986 Orrin and Marilyn Berg of Fisher, MN were united in marriage. They have
been residing in Fisher, MN for the last three years. Orrin enjoyed his
retirement greatly, spending time traveling, cooking, gardening, and taking
leisurely drives around the countryside. He adored spending time with his family
and had a special love for his grandchildren. He followed every activity and
event they were involved in and loved every minute of it. Orrin had an
impeccable memory for names and would go out of his way to greet both those he
knew and did not know with a friendly smile and a strong handshake. He will be
forever missed by those who loved and knew him. Orrin is survived by his wife
Marilyn Berg Abbey, children Deborah Abbey, Karen (Greg) Walski, Merle (Bryan)
Martinovich, Kathy (Kevin) Nelson, and Steven (Cherie) Abbey, grandchildren
Karina, Kyle, Kate, Matthew, Abbey, Aaron, David, Jake, Sarah, Jordan, Jaymy,
Blake, Beau, and Brad, 11 great-grandchildren, brother Kenneth, and many nieces
and nephews. Orrin is also survived by Marilyn's children and grandchildren who
were all very special to him. They are Loren (Nancy) Berg, Diane (Randy) Rapacz,
Karen (Gary) Paulson, Annette (Randy) Gust, Darrin (Michelle) Berg,
grandchildren Andrew, Matthew, Amanda, Shawn, Josh, Rachel, Samantha, Kayleigh,
Tyler, Alexis, and 5 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his
parents, sisters Merle and Donna, and brother Sam. A celebration of Orrin’ s
life will be held at Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 South 42nd St., Grand Forks, ND
on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be for one hour prior to
the funeral service.

Interment will be in Memorial Park
South Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.
Our sympathy and prayers go out to
Marilyn Abbey and the family of Charles
Orrin Abbey, who died on December 10,
2009 at the Veteran’s Administration
Hospital in Fargo. Services were held at
the Amundson Funeral Home in Grand
Forks on December 14, 2009, with Pastor
Karen Young Trenne officiating.
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