HARRY J. ABERCROMBIE

Harry J. Abercrombie, 78 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at his home. Funeral Services for Harry will be held on Monday, December 7, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake with Reverend Paul Balaban, pastor St. Olaf Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation on Sunday will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with a Time of Remembrance and Prayer at 5:00 p.m. Harry James, son of Harry A. and Florence (Gores) Abercrombie was born on August 31, 1937 at Cando, ND. He was reared and educated in Bisbee, ND, graduating from Bisbee High School with the class of 1955. He was drafted into the United States Army on September 13, 1961 at Cando, ND and served his country during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged on September 12, 1963 with the rank of Private First Class. Harry was united in marriage to his beloved Elizabeth “Betty” Hager in 1963. He worked for several years at the Knetter Cheese Factory in Lakota while living on a farm south of Bartlett. They later moved to Devils Lake and would call Devils Lake home until his death. Harry worked at the Bridgeman Creamery until retiring. Retirement didn’t last very long and Harry began working for Midwest Trucking. He retired from Midwest when they closed their Devils Lake office and worked for many years for the City of Devils Lake. In Harry’s younger years he was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed membership in the American Legion and the Eagles Lodge. Harry always had a great sense of humor and so enjoyed visiting with family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Harry is survived by his children Rita (Dave) Calderon of Portland, TX and Harry D. (Julie Hedstrom) Abercrombie of Fargo, ND; step children Patty Johnson, Richard Hoeltl, Greg Hoeltl and Jackie Detert-Spychalla all of Devils Lake; twelve grandchildren Olivia Calderon, January (Grant) Obenchain, Heather (Jason) Lee, Jared (Heather) Johnson, Amber Hoeltl, Erik (Traci Villandre) Hoeltl, Chris Hoeltl, Matthew Hoeltl, Jennifer (Kurt) Stavem, Lisa (Shane) Downing, Ben (Chelce) Detert and Mark (Rebeka) Detert; eighteen great grandchildren; sisters Mary Johnson Boe, Rolla, ND, Mark Abercrombie, Newtown, ND and Ruth (Pete) Peterson, Bonnors Ferry, Idaho; several nieces, nephews and their families also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Betty on May 7, 2003; sons-in-law Ronald Johnson, James Detert and Dennis Spychalla; sister Mildred Peterson and brother David Abercrombie.