Ava Johnson

Ava Johnson, 16, of Moorhead, MN, passed away on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND.

Ava Jaelea Grace Johnson was born on February 26, 2007, in Peoria, IL. Ava was raised in Peoria by her mother Billie Johnson. She attended elementary school at Thomas Jefferson and went to middle school at the Developmental Care Center at Rolling Acres Middle School both in Peoria. In 2018, Ava and her mom moved to Moorhead. There Ava went to Horizon Middle School and Moorhead High School.

Ava had a huge sense of humor and loved to laugh. She enjoyed bowling and participated in the Special Olympics in several events. She loved reading magazines and had a collection of menus.

The odds were stacked against Ava from the beginning. Being diagnosed with full trisomy 18 (Edward’s Syndrome). Ava wasn’t expected to make it to birth, and if she did “they” said she would only live a few hours, days, months and had a 5% chance of making it to her first birthday. Ava has been defying odds and redefining the label of incompatible with life for sixteen and a half years. 

Not a day went by that she didn’t wake up with that beautiful smile on her face. She was always ready without complaint for any adventure or road trip we went on from the mountains of Colorado, to the beaches of Florida.

Ava has been a fighter from the beginning and the strongest person I know. I’m incredibly thankful she had the opportunity to give the gift of life to others. Continuing to change statistics as one of the first few trisomy kiddos to be able to donate organs. I hope they know the strength and legacy living on inside them.

Ava is survived by her mother, Billie Johnson; aunts, Paulette Johnson and Melissa Myers; cousins, Keshone Johnson, Jesse Crawford, Connor Myers, and Kross Johnson; grandmother, Bonnie Johnson; and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Paul Johnson; and great-grandparents, Lorraine and Howard Schoonover, and Lois and Henry Johnson.

Ava’s visitation will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023, from 3 PM to 5 PM followed by the funeral service at 5 PM in Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN. A celebration of Life will take place in Illinois at a later date.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.korsmofuneralservice.com

Arrangements by Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead, MN.