MALAD – Katie Archibald Abbott, 89, returned home to her Heavenly Father and many loved ones on Monday, August 10, 2009, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Katie was born February 19, 1920, in Ridgedale, Idaho (Pocatello Valley), the sixth of 11 children born to Nancy Idelia Tims and Albert Stewart Archibald. Her childhood was spent on the dry farm in Pocatello Valley, where she learned the value of hard work, working side by side with her family. Hers was a very close family throughout their lives. She attended the little one-room school house and was valedictorian of her graduating eighth-grade class. Until the last few years, Katie lived her entire life in Malad, Idaho.
Katie was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 5, 1928, in a horse trough on the family farm and remained a faithful member of the church all her life. She served in the Relief Society many years, in the presidency and as a visiting teacher. Katie taught both Sunday school and Primary simultaneously for seven years. Her last calling was that of compassionate service leader, a job she truly exemplified.
Katie married John Oldham Abbott on October 31, 1935, in Malad. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple on July 9, 1948. To this union was born one son and five daughters, John (Jay), Nancy, Patsy, Deloris, Linda and Loretta.
Family was always Katie’s first concern. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker, forever putting the needs and comfort of others above her own. She was always a hard worker, an excellent cook and did beautiful sewing and handwork.
After she and John sold their dry farm Katie began cooking at the Oneida County Hospital in 1959, where her delicious meals were often praised. In 1975, she began work at the new hospital as head cook. At this time she also took dietitian courses at ISU, then retired in June of 1985. For several years she also worked alongside her husband as assistant custodian of the Malad Stake Building.
Although Katie had many trials in her life, she was always kind and pleasant to the very end. Her final years were spent at Mallory House in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where she received kind and loving care from their staff and from “Hands of Hope Hospice.” All of whom commented about how much they loved “sweet” Katie.
Katie is survived by four daughters and two sons-in-law, Nancy Martin (Vern) of North Ogden, Utah, Patsy Johnson of Ogden, Utah, Deloris Beeton of Pocatello, Idaho, Loretta Hall (Alan) Rigby, Idaho; 21 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, JoAnn Williams. She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her siblings, six brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law, her husband, John, daughter, Linda, son, John (Jay), daughter-in-law, Nona Kelley Abbott, sons-in-law, Farren Johnson and Sheldon Beeton, grandsons, Jerry Beeton and Guy Johnson, and granddaughter, Christine Kelley.
Katie is so dearly loved and was the heart of her family.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 14 at noon in the Malad Third Ward Chapel, 400 North 200 West. Friends may call at the Horsley Funeral Home prior to the funeral from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Malad City Cemetery.Published in Idaho State Journal on Aug. 11, 2009