Abigt, Fred E.

Fred E. Abigt, 88, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013, at the MeadowView Memory Care Village. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories with the Rev. Shawn Barr officiating. Burial with military honors will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

He was preceded in death by his parents; half brother; and daughter, Lorraine Abigt.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Abigt; sister, Emma Snyder of Newburg, Ind.; son, Bill (Chris) of Ottumwa; daughter, Carrie (Tod) Twist of St. Paul, Minn.; grandchildren, Heidi (Mike) Batista, Karissa (Eric) Garst, Tyler (fiancee Michelle) Abigt, Katie Twist and Toby Twist; and two great-grandsons.

Fred was born and raised in Evansville, Ind., until drafted into the Army April 10, 1943, during World War II. He moved to St Paul, Minn., to attend Northwestern College after hearing Billy Graham. It was through these connections that he met his wife of 58 years. They moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1958 when offered a job at Rockwell Collins, his dream job of 30 plus years.

He will be remembered for his joy of tinkering, telling stories and his jovial sense of humor. He was committed to providing for his family and guiding them to know of God's love.

The family would like to thank all the staff from St Luke's Hospice and the wonderful staff of Meadowview Memory Care for their love, support and tender care given to Fred.

Memorial may be directed to the Gideons or the Billy Graham Association.

Please leave an online condolence for the family at under Obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 1, 2013.