Alan DeWitt Abbott
January 31, 1931 - August 6, 2019

Alan DeWitt Abbott, age 88, of Ames, passed away on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at Households of Bethany In Story City. Visitation with the family will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 2:45 P.M. on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at St. John's by the Campus Episcopal Church, where there will be a funeral service held at 3:00 P.M., followed by a reception and time of fellowship. Burial will be at a later date. Alan was born on January 31, 1931 at the family home in Ames, Iowa. He was the son of Melvin and Fern (Thompson) Abbott. Alan graduated from Ames High School in 1950. In the summer of 1950, Alan worked for the U.S. Forestry in Oregon as a firefighter. He was inducted into the Air Force on September 18, 1950. Alan was honorably discharged from the Air Force on September 17, 1954, when he returned to Ames and attended Iowa State University. He was united in marriage to Mary Kay Winkler on November 2, 1957 in Omaha, Nebraska. Alan worked for the Iowa Highway Commission as a Graphic Artist for 20 years. Following his retirement from the Highway Commission, Alan and Mary Kay owned and operated Mary Kay's Flowers & Gifts, Inc. in Ames until their retirement. Alan enjoyed anything outdoors and nature related. He was a member of the Isaac Walton League, and volunteered at McFarland Park, providing trail maintenance. He chopped firewood by hand until he was no longer able to do so. Alan was a kind and gentle man who loved his family and especially his grandchildren. He was a member of the Ames American Legion Post 37 and St. John's Episcopal Church. Alan is survived by his wife, Mary Kay; children: Melanie (Guy) Cornwell of Ames, Michelle (Randy) Thompson of Gilbert, Alan (Brenda) Abbott of Altoona, and Amy Abbott of Ames; grandchildren: Melissa Thompson, Natalie (Andy) Craig, Abbey (Matt) Rardin, Benjamin "B.J." (McKenzie) Hagert, Christine (Beau) Romsey, Danielle (Brian) Linder, Zachary Hagert, Emily Abbott, Trevor Thompson, and Dennis Abbott; 7 great-grandchildren; siblings: Betty Rullestad, Janet (Joe) Busch, and Chuck Abbott; a son-in-law, Jim Hagert; brothers-in-law, Ted Birdseye and Vic Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Jeremiah Hagert; and Jim (Rose) Abbott, Bob Abbott, Beverly Birdseye, Barbara Johnson, Joyce (Conrad) Berhow, and David Abbott in infancy. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Adams Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for the family at www.adamssoderstrum.com.

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