April 22, 1938 - August 17, 2024
A funeral service for Ted Abbas, of Bancroft, will be held Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Ramsey Reformed Church in rural Titonka. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors conducted. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at Oakcrest Funeral Services of Bancroft and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
Thues Lee “Ted” Abbas was born on April 22, 1938, in Buffalo Center, son of Thues and Lena (Hundt) Abbas. Ted was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Burt. Ted attended and graduated from Swea City High School in 1957. He joined the Army National Guard on Sept. 27, 1960, out of Humboldt and was honorably discharged on Aug. 26, 1966.
After graduation, Ted drove trucks for Don Behnkendorf of Bancroft, Bitumous of Algona and Abbas Brothers trucking of Humboldt. He started working for Welp’s Feed Mill in 1962. He worked for Welp’s and then Standard Feed Mill for 40 years until his retirement.
On March 17, 1962, Ted married Diane Krominga. To this union two daughters were born, Sheila Kay and Shawn Lee. On Oct. 20, 1964, Diane and baby daughter Shawn passed away. On Dec. 28, 1968, Ted married Sandra Gray at Ramsey Reformed Church in Titonka. To this union two daughters were born, Sherri Lynn and Staci Lee.
Ted became a member of Ramsey Reformed Church on Feb. 10, 1970. He loved his church family, served as Sunday School Superintendent and Deacon, and appreciated attending hymn sings. Ted enjoyed gardening, bird watching, traveling, tinkering and wood burning. Most of all, he loved visiting with his family and friends. He also enjoyed making and sharing his Jesus plaques and Jesus Is Lord signs as a way of expressing his faith in Jesus his Lord and Savior.
Ted was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer in Oct. 2002. On March 13, 2007, he had a stem cell transplant at Mayo Clinic. He dealt with cancer for over 22 years. Ted L. Abbas died Saturday, Aug. 17 at the age of 86.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sandra Abbas of Bancroft; three daughters, Sheila Fisher of Swea City, Sherri (Jay) Beenken of Algona and Staci (Eric) Josten of Ankeny; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; Adam (Nicole) Fisher of Armstrong and their children, Brooklyn, Mylee and Jace; Alex (Brandy) Fisher of Bancroft and their daughters, Ella and Khloe; Sara (Curtis) Thilges of Buffalo Center and their children, Maverick and Maya Thilges; Alexis (Griffin) Truslow of Cottage Grove, Minn., and their daughter Kira; Cassandra Beenken, (fiancé Noah Bronk) of Cedar Falls; and Zachary and Cale Josten of Ankeny; a sister, Marge Asche, an added brother, Bob Butterfield, three sisters-in-laws; Mary Abbas, Janice Abbas and Carole Abbas; and a brother-in-law, Greg Arrowood. He is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-laws (Sandy’s family); Melvin (Millie) Gray, Shirley (Larry) Vaage, Royce (Mary) Gray, Rodney (LaDonna) Gray, Judy (Steve) Saienga and LaMonte (Julie) Gray; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Diane and daughter Shawn; his parents-in-law, Elmer and Kate Gray; brothers, Harold (Louise) Abbas, John Abbas, Derald (Ruby) Abbas, Delbert Abbas and Elmer Abbas; his sisters, Arlene (Bob) Pate, Chis (Bob) Christen and Judy Arrowood; and a brother-in-law, Fay Asche.
Oakcrest Funeral Services of Bancroft in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left to www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.