James L. Abendroth

James L. “Jim” Abendroth, 76, passed away Monday, July 26, 2021 at the University of Kansas Health-St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.

James Louis Abendroth was born December 4, 1944 in Larned, Kansas, the son of Melvern and Laurene Agnus (Peters) Abendroth. He graduated from Gridley Rural High School in 1963.

After attending college at Emporia State and Kansas State University, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was assigned to the Army Security Agency. Jim received his training in teletype repair at Augusta, Georgia. During the Vietnam Era he served in Sinop, Turkey and Two Rock Ranch, California. He was honorably discharged in 1972. Jim was a member of the American Legion Post #1 in Topeka.

Jim was joined in marriage to Norma Jean Hursh on May 22, 1966 in Gridley, Kansas. To this union two sons were born, Jared and Justin.

For 10 years Jim was a manager for Beneficial Finance in Topeka. After leaving the financial business, Jim owned and operated Abendroth Construction until retirement.

He will be forever remembered by his wife, Norma of the home; two sons, Jared (Michelle) Abendroth of Carbondale and Justin (Christie) Abendroth of West Bloomfield Michigan; a sister, Pat (Don) Halfman of Kansas City, Missouri; a brother, Paul (Judy) Abendroth of Burlington, Kansas; half-sister, Irene Busbee of Kansas City, Missouri; a half-brother, Bob (June) Williams of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; five grandchildren, Jessica (Garrett) Colglazier of Holton, Samantha Abendroth of Carbondale, Chloe Abendroth of West Bloomfield, Michigan, David Abendroth of West Bloomfield, Michigan, Tyler Abendroth of Houston, Texas and two great-grandchildren, Bennett Colglazier of Holton and Callahan Colglazier of Holton.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Gary Abendroth.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 31, 2021 at VanArsdale Funeral Chapel in Osage City. Military burial honors to follow service at Carbondale Cemetery. Family will receive friends Friday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or DAV and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth, Osage City, Kansas 66523. Condolences may be expressed at VanArsdalefs.com.