Abigail Hope Rotert

Abigail “Abbey” Hope Rotert was born August 24, 1992 in Omaha, Nebraska to Ron and Jenni (Clinton) Rotert. She was the fourth to come along after her brothers Schuyler, Nathen, and Darick. Afflicted from birth with Aicardi Syndrome, Abbey was predicted to live for only 3 or 4 years. However, Abbey defied the most optimistic of expectations and lived to an astounding 21 years. She triumphed over many major and minor battles with health and battled through hundreds of hospital visits, surgeries and treatments with a strength not usually seen from someone so small. When meeting Abbey, people would notice her and not her wheelchair or machines. They’d be captured by her expressive and sparkling blue eyes, her luscious long hair and ruby red lips first. You would look at her delicate innocence and completely fall in love. Abbey was a natural teacher, like her mother and brother. She taught people so many important things in her life. Even without the luxury of spoken language, she was able to teach people acceptance, understanding, patience and how to be brave in the face of any challenge. Just being around Abbey could make you a better person. A beautiful example of this came about when Abbey was at school. One of Abbey’s classmates was completely nonverbal and didn’t speak to any adult, not even her parents. One day she was asked to go look at a book with Abbey and she started reading the book out loud to her. They had no idea she could even read, let along be willing to speak out loud to someone. Abbey brought out the best in everyone in her life. Lots of people who didn’t get a chance to know her wouldn’t realize how expressive Abbey could be. It takes most people paragraphs to explain their feelings, but she could let you know what she was thinking with a single look. She loved to play “tricks” on her nurses and family by pretending to be asleep, especially when it came time to brush her teeth or wash her face. She came to know when this would occur and would scrunch her little face up and wrinkle her brow to make it as difficult as possible. She would bite her toothbrush and give you a look that could curdle milk if you dared cross her. They say Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and Abbey was certainly no exception. She loved going to Camp Munroe-Meyer over the summer where she would go on field trips, swim and hang out with other children like her. She loved it so much she raised thousands in various fundraisers to keep it running. She also raised over 2 million pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald house, one of the largest amounts by a single donor in Nebraska history. Abbey gave and gave to make the world a better place. Abbey passed away at the Children’s Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska on Friday, January 31, 2014 at the age of 21 years, 5 months, and 7 days. She was preceded in death by her grandfather Jerry Rotert, and her great grandparents. Abbey is survived by her parents Ron & Jenni Rotert of Omaha, brothers: Schuyler, and his fiancee’, Rebecca Salkin, Nathen, and Darick Rotert all of Omaha, grandparents Mary Lou Rotert of Omaha, Georgea Clinton and Bill Clinton of Carroll, Iowa, nephew Brecken, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins who all loved her dearly. Abigail H. “Abbey” Rotert, age 21, of Omaha, died 1/31/14. Survived by parents Ron & Jenni Rotert of Omaha, brothers: Schuyler, and fiancee’ Becca, Nathen, and Darick all of Omaha, grandparents Mary Lou Rotert of Omaha, Georgea Clinton and Bill Clinton of Carroll, Iowa, nephew Brecken, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Funeral service 2 PM Monday at the funeral home with interment at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Elkhorn. Visitation with the family from Noon to 5 PM Sunday, all at the funeral home in Elkhorn. Memorials to Camp Munroe.

Abigail Hope Rotert

August 24, 1992 - January 31, 2014