"So sorry to hear about Abby. She was a strong soul and heaven is a better place with her in it. Thinking about you and your family today, Clint. Mom and I are thinking of you and your family at this sad time."
In loving memory of
Abigail "Abby" Huntrods
February 14, 1989 - October 29, 2021
On Friday, October 29th, 2021, Abigail (Nash) Huntrods lost her courageous battle with triple-negative breast cancer and passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by loved ones. She was 32 years old.
Abby was born in Iowa City, IA, on Valentine's Day in 1989. Growing up on a farm, she wasn't afraid to work hard and get dirty and was drawn to care for all types of animals, especially horses. Abby excelled in school and was a talented volleyball player. In 2007, she graduated from West Branch High School as Valedictorian, attended the University of Northern Iowa, and then the University of Iowa on the full-ride Thomas Family scholarship. Upon graduation with her BS in Integrative Physiology, Abby decided to forgo her original plan of attending graduate school for veterinary medicine. Instead, she pursued her passion for American Quarter Horse training and showing. After a five-year illustrious career, including numerous championships at top shows, she decided to transition to a career that would better allow for starting a family.
To do so, Abby began a career in finance and was a pillar at the firm of Merkle Retirement Planning. Abby utilized her strong attention to detail and inherent gift for connecting with people to become the face and voice of the operations side of the business. In true Abby fashion, she pushed herself to broaden her skills and her impact by becoming a financial adviser. As such, she championed the work of helping pre-retirees and retirees achieve their financial and personal dreams in retirement, fearlessly guiding them through uncertainties in their new phase of life. The impact of her work at Merkle Retirement Planning is felt every day through her client, teammate, and community relationships.
Abby married her best friend Clint on July 7th, 2012. True to their vows, they worked as a team - for better or worse, in sickness and in health. Over their nine years together, they brought two amazing boys into the world and loved introducing them to new experiences, including travel adventures, exploring God's beautiful creation, and spending time with friends and family. Of all the achievements Abby had in her life, none could compare to her joy in being a mom.
Abby and Clint moved to the tight-knit community of Polk City, Iowa, when their first child, Nash, was born and quickly developed an amazing support system. They have been members of Lakeside Fellowship, where faithful friends showered their family with love after her diagnosis and beyond. They are forever grateful for the support from this church family and others in the past two years of Abby's cancer battle.
Abby will be remembered for her bold, fearless approach to life, accomplishing anything she set her mind to. She was a fighter, and, more importantly, Abby was someone who loved Jesus. After an exceptional battle with a very aggressive form of cancer, she was ready to meet her Savior in Heaven. Her faith and approach to life in the face of adversity had a profound and lasting impact on all who knew her.
Abby is survived by her husband Clint, sons Nash (5 years old) and Elijah (2 years old); father and mother, Steve and Deb Nash of Tipton; grandmother, Marilyn Taylor (Bettendorf), brothers Andy (Kerri) Nash of Tipton, Matt (Kerri) Nash of West Branch, sister Amanda (Josh) Goeller of Danville, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many loving in-laws. At her death, she and Clint were legal guardians of Khaliya Toteh and maintained a loving relationship with Khaliya's mother, Angeline Toteh. She was preceded in death by grandparents Mark and Donna Nash, Paul Paget, Richard Taylor, and uncle Irvin Livingston.
The family is hosting a visitation from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM immediately followed by a Celebration of Life service at 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 6th, all at Lakeside Fellowship Church in Polk City.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, you are welcome to donate to the Abby Huntrods Memorial Fund at Connection Bank, 115 Legacy Drive, Burlington, IA 52601, or Venmo @AbbyHuntrodsMemorial as this account links to the Memorial Fund account.
Tributes
"She battled long and hard to stay with us, but Abby is Home now in the presence of our Savior. Although she will be so missed, one day we will join her feeling the joy she?s feeling now and forever. Joe and Karen Risius"
"Debbie and family, I am so sorry for your loss. We will definitely keep you all in prayer. Abby sounds like she was quite an amazing person. God bless you, Jon and Celeste Paget "
"I am so very sorry for the loss of Abby. What a bright and shining star she was. My condolences to her and Clint?s entire families. May God comfort you all in the days ahead. And may he bless Clint and those precious little boys. - Carla Kohlwes "