Erica Suzanne Kritzberger (Abentroth) left this earth and joined our Heavenly Father on Saturday, June 24th, 2023 after a 2 1/2 year battle with colon cancer.
Erica was born on May 26th, 1978 in Hillsboro, ND, to Doug and Susan Abentroth (McDonald). She grew up in Cummings, ND with her three older sisters and two younger brothers until 1985 when the family moved to Caledonia, ND. Erica graduated in 1996 from Hillsboro High School and went on to attend Carlson College of Massage Therapy in Anamosa, IA. From there, she opened Essential Kneads Massage Therapy with locations in Hillsboro and Ada, MN. She helped many people over the years with her deep knowledge of human anatomy, patient demeanor, and tenacity to figure out a solution for her patient’s pain.
She celebrated her Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hillsboro, ND. It was also at St. Rose where she was united in marriage to Josh Kritzberger on December 15th, 2000. Nine months later their parenting years began with the birth of Kora in 2001, Oliver in 2003, Lance in 2005, and Caspar in 2007.
Erica and Josh lived in Cooperstown, ND from 2001-2004 and then moved to rural Ada, MN where they raised their family.
At the heart of Erica’s world was her family. Her kids were her greatest joy and she also thought of each of her nieces and nephews as her own. Most often, you would see Erica and her siblings surrounded by their large and tight-knit family. Erica was their biggest fan at events and their biggest advocate when they needed a voice. She enjoyed spoiling everyone with fresh veggies from her garden, canned goodies, homemade meals, baked goods, sewing projects, and crafting masterpieces. She was especially known for her homemade buns, Halloween costumes, creative family t-shirts, and her woodworking projects. There was no craft she couldn’t tackle.
Erica was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Earl and Teresa Abentroth of Cummings, ND and her maternal grandparents, Ina and Leo McDonald of Minot, ND. She is also celebrating in heaven with her favorite aunt, Kay Preston of East Grand Forks, MN and her favorite uncle, Jerry Renner of Alexandria, MN.
She is survived by her husband, Josh; children, Kora, Oliver, Lance, and Caspar; her parents, Doug and Sue Abentroth, Hillsboro, ND; her mother and father-in-law, Jim and Mary Kritzberger, Hillsboro, ND; her siblings, Emily (Milt) Lee, Ada, MN, Heather (Chad) Odden, Ada, MN, Heidi (Chad) McQuillan, Oxbow, ND, Mitch (Krystal) Abentroth, Hillsboro, ND, and Casey (Lindsey) Abentroth, Caledonia, ND. She is also survived by Josh’s siblings, Cory (Lori) Kritzberger, Portland, ND, Bridget (Joe) Hastings, Hillsboro, ND, and Ashley (Brandon) Johnson, Grand Forks, ND. She leaves behind so many others that loved her dearly as well: her beloved nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 1, 2023 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Hillsboro, ND.
Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, June 30, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ada, MN, with a prayer service to begin at 6:30 PM.
Interment: Caledonia City Cemetery, Caledonia, ND.
Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.fredriksonfh.com
Arrangements with Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Homes of Ada and Halstad, Minnesota
