Abigail S. Wirthele (pronounced Wirt Lee), 23 of Sterling, passed away on March 9, 2023. She was born on July 2, 1999, to Jonathan & ShawnTae (Lehrkamp) Kleager in Scottsbluff. Abigail was active in FFA during high school and excelled at public speaking. She won the state competition during her junior year and later would help judge public speaking events. In 2017, she graduated from Aurora High School and would go on to attend Chadron State College until she met the love of her life Matthew Wirthele. They got married on November 9, 2019, in Roca, NE and resides on their farm in Burr, NE.

Abigail worked as an internal accountant for Frontier Co-Op in Syracuse. She also volunteered her time with CASA and being a foster parent. Abigail had a great love for animals, especially her dog Bear. She loved music and would often sing along to her favorite songs with her beautiful voice. Most importantly to Abigail was her family and she always looked forward to big family get togethers. She will be remembered for her bubbly personality, friendly smile, always being polite and ability to light up a room.

She is survived by her husband Matthew Wirthele; daughters Chloe & Indi Wirthele; mother ShawnTae (Ryan) Brown; father Jonathan (Johanna) Kleager; siblings Melany, Kody, Chance; grandmother Janice Lehrkamp; father-in-law & mother-in-law Craig & Cheri Wirthele; also numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Andy & Karen Kleager and Leo Lehrkamp.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 16 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sterling, located at 440 Ohio St. The service will be livestreamed on St. John's Facebook page. Burial will follow at the Hope Lutheran Cemetery near Burr.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 15 from 5-8 p.m. with the family present at the Sterling Community Center.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

Arrangements By: Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, NE