Abildgaard, Mark (NMI)

Mark (NMI) Abildgaard

Notes for Mark (NMI) ABILDGAARD-183

MARRIAGE: Mark Abildgaard was married 2nd, to Olive Bell (Wright) Amos in Dec 1939.

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OBITUARY: Dairy Leader, Mark Abildgaard Dies

The man who was long considered Mr. Dairy in Kansas died April 28, at the age of 87. Mark Abildgaard, a 1911 graduate of Kansas State University managed dairy farms and brought high quality breeding cattle to the state before becoming the owner of his own dairy farm.

As a dairyman he was a leader in organizing Wichita Milk Producers Association in 1931. He was its first president and in 1932 became manager, a job he held until retirement in 1955.

As a dairy co-op manager he was described by John Heersche, elderly Kansas dairyman as "priding himself in running an efficient operation on the smallest dollar with the largest return to the dairy farmer."

"Without an attorney and as sole spokesman for dairy farmer interests, Abildgaard handled all testimony at federal order hearings. He was considered honest and fair, and his judgment was respected in all segments of the industry," said Heersche.

"Through Abildgaard's efforts Dairy Council was brought to Wichita, and he supported and aided its function through the years," said Wichita Dairy Council leader Molly Goodwin, now with Dairy Council, Inc.

WMPA became a member of the National Milk Producers Federation because of the influence of Abildgaard.

"He was a great dairy leader," said Lynn Elrod, who replaced Abildgaard as manager of WMPA in 1955. Elrod is now assistant to the general manager of AMPI.

Jim Moore, manager of the Kansas Division of AMPI said, "Kansas dairymen will miss the influence and counsel of this outstanding dairy leader."
(Source: "Dairymen's Digest, June 1977)

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Email: Dick.Henthorn@gmail.com
Posted: 20 Dec 2001
Reposted: 22 Feb 2011

Abildgaard, Ruth Wentworth (Henthorne)

Ruth Wentworth Henthorne

Notes for Ruth Wentworth HENTHORNE-180

OCCUPATION: Taught 1 year at Silverdale School and 1 year at Bryant in Winfield, KS

CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Member of Presbyterian Church at Derby, KS

ORGANIZATIONS: Member of Fern Chapter of Eastern Star; Member of Mulvane Woman's Club; Member of Waco Farm Bureau; Member of Royal Neighbors of America; Active in 4-H Club work

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OBITUARY: Funeral Held Sunday for Mrs. Abildgaard Many Pay Respect to Widely Known Woman

Funeral services for Mrs. Mark Abildgaard, who died at her home five miles northwest of Mulvane, [KS] at about 4:30 o'clock last Friday afternoon, May 6 [1932], were held Sunday afternoon at the Mulvane Methodist Church. Mrs. Abildgaard had been in failing health the past few years. She had been a constant sufferer for several months and her death had been expected daily for almost a month.

The funeral services Sunday were conducted by Rev. H.H. Rayborn, pastor of the Derby Presbyterian Church, and assisted by Rev. C.C. Brown, pastor of the M.E. Church here. The church was filled with a large number of friends and relatives from Mulvane, Derby, Waco, Winfield and other communities where Mrs. Abildgaard was so well known.

Music was furnished by a male quartet from the Derby Presbyterian Church composed of Messrs. John and Oscar Yungmeyer, Waguh and James Alley, who sang "Abide with Me," "The City Foursquare," and "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," accompanied by Lee Waugh, pianist. Mrs. Owen Nisbit of Winfield sang "That Wonderful Mother of Mine," accompanied by Miss Helen Swinney, at the request of Mrs. Abildgaard's children. [The funeral was held on Mother's Day.]

Services at the funeral were carried out as they had been arranged by Mrs. Abildgaard some time before her passing. Pallbearers were: Ira Abildgaard of Oxford, and Fred Abildgaard, Arthur Abildgaard, L. Henthorne, J.E. Paton and Roy Waters of Winfield. Burial was in Mulvane Cemetery, in charge of Gordon Mortuary.

Ruth Wentworth Henthorne was born March 14, 1893, in Winfield, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Henthorne. She attended public schools there and graduated from Winfield High School with the class of 1910. She taught one year at Silverdale, [KS] and one year at Bryant, Winfield.

On April 28, 1914, she was married to Mark Abildgaard of Winfield. Four children were born to them, three of whom survive: Robert, John and Jean. Other survivors are: her husband, her mother, Mrs. Minnie Henthorne of Winfield; two sisters, Mrs. J.E. Paton of Winfield; Mrs. R.E. Burger of Oklahoma City and Lawrence Henthorne of Winfield.

Mr. and Mrs. Abildgaard came to the Mulvane community 14 years ago this spring, living first south of town, then in the Rockford neighborhood northeast of here, and six years ago moving to the present home between here and Waco. During the years she was here, Mrs. Abilgaard was prominent in church and civic activities, besides attending the many duties of her home. She was at the time of her death a member of the Derby Presbyterian Church, where until prevented by ill health, she was active in the church and its auxiliary organizations. She was an active member in the Fern Chapter of the Eastern Star, Mulvane and Royal Neighbors of America and of the Mulvane Women's Club. For many years she had been in the work of the women's activities of the Sedgwick County Farm Bureau and a leader in the Waco 4-H Club work.
(Source: Mulvane News, clipping)

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Email: Dick.Henthorn@gmail.com
Posted: 20 Dec 2001
Reposted: 22 Feb 2011