The Funeral Service for George Abelseth, age 94 of Hettinger, will be held at 10:30 am Monday, June 27, 2011 at the Reeder Community Center with Pastor Gary Weems, officiating.

Burial will be in the Glendo Cemetery in Perkins County with full military honors afforded by the Carl Hendrickson American Legion Post #51 of Reeder.

Serving as casketbearers are William and Harley Dubisor, Butch and Brad Abelseth, Les Braunberger, and Phillip Ellingson.

George Abelseth was born June 26, 1916 in his parents homestead sod house in Perkins County, SD to Ole and Anna (Grinde) Abelseth. He attended Glendo School through the eighth grade and high school in Hettinger graduating in 1935. George joined the U.S. Navy on January 20, 1945 and was discharged on June 15, 1946. He returned to the Abelseth farm and purchased an International truck that he used to haul coal and wheat in the area.

In 1948, Harold and Irene Abelseth were helping him. Irene is Janice's cousin and needed help with her four children, so Janice came to help. That is when George met Janice, who was teaching school southwest of New England, ND.

George and Janice were united in marriage in New England, ND on June 9, 1950. They farmed and ranched together on the Abelseth Ranch and moved into Hettinger due to George's health. George and Janice celebrated 61 years together. They have one son, Boyd.

George believed in Jesus Christ as his Savior and always attended church.

He passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger.

Surviving family members include his wife, Janice, Hettinger, ND; son and daughter-in-law, Boyd and Vickie Abelseth, Prairie City, SD; granddaughter, Keely Skinner, great granddaughter, Avis, sister, Helen Locey, San Francisco, CA.

George was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Fred, and one sister, Mae.

Visitation will be Sunday 1:00 to 7:00pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger and on Monday one hour prior to services at the Reeder Community Center.