Alta Louise Rix, daughter of Professor Clifford Neal (1884-1970) and Florence E. (Hulett) (1888-1937), was born 4 July 1908, Ingham County, Michigan.  Alta graduated in 1929 from Okemos High School. 

Alta married Claude L. Abel 19 June 1930, Okemos, Ingham County.  Claude, born 31 July 1906, was a 1924 graduate of Laingsburg High School, Shiawassee County, Michigan.  Claude's parents died before he entered high school and he was raised by a family member.  After completing high school he became employed by a Shiawassee County telephone company and at the time of marriage was working as a lineman.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Monday 19 May 1930

Announcement was made of the engagement of Miss Alta Louise Rix to Claude L. Abel at an attractive luncheon given by her mother, Mrs. Clifford Rix, Saturday afternoon.  The wedding will be an event of June 19.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Friday 20 June 1930

A pretty home wedding was solemnized at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Rix, of Okemos, Thursday evening at 8 o'clock when their daughter, Alta Louise, was united in marriage with Claude L. Abel, of Capac, formerly of Laingsburg.  The Rev. H. H. Bowser of Battle Creek, assisted by the Rev. Frederick Donovan of Okemos, performed the double ring ceremony.  The date marked the anniversary of the wedding of the bride's parents.

The bride wore a lovely white satin gown trimmed with lace.  She carried a large shower bouquet of roses and sweet peas.  Miss Virgeleen Haley, cousin of the  bride, attended her as bridesmaid, and wore orchid crepe.  Her bouquet was of shell pink sweet peas.  Garnet Honsberger, of Jackson, attended Mr. Abel.  Harold Fairbanks and Arthur McFarren served as ushers.  Little Miss Lillian Beebe of Mason was flower girl, and Ralph Rix, brother of the bride, acted as ring bearer.

A reception and three-course wedding luncheon followed.  Mrs. O. W. Fairbanks of East Lansing, served as mistress of ceremonies.  Many out-of-town guests were present from Three Rivers, Flint, Bay City, Detroit, Perry, Williamston, Laingsburg, Bath and Mason.

Mr. and Mrs. Abel will reside in Capac, where Mr. Abel is connected with the Wolverine Telephone company.

Claude and Alta had two children; Joyce, born in 1933, and Glen (Glenn) born in 1935.  Alta's mother died in 1937.  Her father remarried in 1938 a Mrs. Florence Krentel.  Little Joyce Abel served as flower girl for her new grandmother.

The mid-Michigan weather in late February 1939 found Michiganders deep in snow.  During the weekend of February 26th and 27th several inches of continuous snow fell and the temperature was ranging, according to the 24 hour Sunday records, from 23 to 28 degrees above zero.  Visibility may have been the hampering issue as Claude drove his family home from an outing at the Rix home in East Lansing on Sunday afternoon the 27th. Claude drove the family auto directly into the path of an oncoming freight train.  Claude, Alta and 5 year old Joyce were immediately killed.  Glen survived.  The coroner's report for Alta's death recorded, "struck by a Grand Trunk freight train on S. Harrison rd. crossing while riding in an auto southbound - death was probably instantaneous."  The Abel's auto was carried 700 yards west of the crossing. 

Alta was thrown 75 yards while Claude was thrown 200 yards beyond the crash site.  Both the children were found trapped within the car wreckage.

Claude, Alta and Joyce were laid to rest at Glendale Cemetery, Okemos.

Glen survived, although he spent a month in the hospital.  He was released to his Grandfather Rix and recuperated under the care of Mrs. Rix.  Glen thereafter made his home with his grandparents.  In 1943 Professor Clifford Rix retired from Michigan State College.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Saturday 9 October 1943

After 35 years of teaching at the college, Professor Rix is retiring and he, Mrs. Rix, their son Alex Krentel (Alex Day Krentel born 4 August 1927 Michigan, died 1 July 1994 San Diego County, California), and grandson, Glen Abel, are leaving the first of the week to make their home in Los Angeles, California.

Clifford and wife both died in California.  As of 2018 Glen may still be living.  He would be in his 80's now.