Carl W. Abendroth

Carl Walter Abendroth, 91, passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2016, at Milestone Senior Living in Woodruff WI. He was born on February 14, 1925, in Rhinelander WI, the eldest son of Walter and Melinda (Schmidt) Abendroth. He attended Northwestern Military Academy in Lake Geneva WI, and during summer vacations worked at Robbins Flooring Company, the family flooring business in Rhinelander. Carl’s varied interests included reading, music, and aviation. He was an avid pilot, exploring the nooks and crannies of Wisconsin in a single-engine plane, and an enthusiastic pianist who played with an uncommon gusto. Carl served his country during WWII in the US Army. He was a Staff Sergeant in the Signal Corps in the Pacific Area, developing a keen appreciation for the Japanese and their culture. After the service, he returned to school and graduated from Valparaiso University with a business degree. He went to work in the family hardwood flooring business and generally made a nuisance of himself around the Abendroth household in Reed City MI, before becoming smitten with his little sister’s college roommate, Suzanne Jonak. They were married on June 16, 1951. Shortly after getting married, Carl and Suzanne moved to Washington DC, for a one-year position with the Office of Price Stabilization. Returning to Reed City, Carl and Suzanne contributed three offspring to the local population while Carl continued in a leadership role in the hardwood flooring business, a career that spanned almost 40 years. During these years and after, Carl and Suzanne travelled all over the world and settled in several locations, including White Lake WI, Memphis TN, Crystal Falls MI, Singapore, Scottsdale AZ, Wausau WI, Fredericksburg TX, Hilton Head SC, Manitowish Waters WI, Eagle River WI, Sayner WI, and Woodruff. They moved into Milestone Senior Living when it opened in early 2013. In their travels, Carl and Suzanne developed and maintained friendships all over the country and around the world. Friends and family will always recall Carl’s natural ebullience, outgoing personality, and ever-ready smile. Carl was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Arbor Vitae and formerly Trinity Lutheran Church in Boulder Junction. He was a member of the American Legion and involved in volunteer activities in Wausau, Scottsdale, and the Lakeland Area. Survivors include his wife Suzanne, son Tom (Cherie) Abendroth of Arbor Vitae, two daughters Debra Stephenson of Sayner and Barbra Guerra of Woodruff, five grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, a brother John (Anne) Abendroth of San Diego CA, and a sister Marie Winter of Deerfield Beach FL. He was preceded in death by a sister Ruth and one granddaughter. A memorial service will be held on Friday January 6, 2017 at 11 AM at the Peace Lutheran Church in Arbor Vitae with a Gathering of Friends & Family one hour prior to the service and luncheon following. Burial will take place at a later date in the Park Cemetery in Ogdensburg WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church or Ministry Hospice.

Carl W. Abendroth

February 14, 1925 - December 29, 2016