Ava Johnson

Ava Lynn Johnson, 4, passed away in her mother’s loving arms, with her father and grandmother by her bedside on September 9, 2020, at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Fargo, ND.  

Ava was born on November 2. 2015.  In her short time on earth she touched the hearts of many and left a lasting impression on everyone that she met.  

Ava was a delightful, kind, caring and loving little girl. She loved reading books and snuggling with her mom and dad. Because both her parents took lots of pictures and videos of Ava and her sister, Kylie, and brother, Quinn, a favorite thing for Ava was to cuddle up to Mom or Dad and watch videos of herself. They would laugh and giggle together. Pure joy!  She and her mom did each other's hair and fingernails and played makeup. She enjoyed being outside, following her dad around the yard, playing with her two cats, Michael and Marshmallow, and her new puppy, Ellie.  

When Ava went to Grandma and Grandpa's, she would "pack up her things". That always included most of her princesses with a few Shopkins or a Mickey, Donald Duck, and Minnie thrown in. Grandma finally got the names of all the princesses down with Ava’s help, and without a doubt, Ava was her Grandma and Grandpa's little princess.

Ava always wanted to "play". She and Quinn would build villages with Magnatiles or Duplos, using the entire huge bin. She loved dressing up and playing Barbies and Shopkins with Kylie. The three of them enjoyed playing together- play dough, slime, hide and seek, jumping on the trampoline, being outside, and playing I Spy. 

She loved to play with her friends and cousins too. At the lake, she loved to swim and if her cousins and siblings were jumping off the pontoon, Ava did too. The thought that they were all older never crossed her mind.  She was strong-willed, spunky and kept right up with them.  What they did, Ava wanted to do too. She liked catching little fishies, going tubing, and jumping off the dock- "1,2,3" with her siblings and cousins.  She had no fear!

Ava adored all of her family and they adored her!  Some of her favorite road trips were going to Kansas to visit the Johnson crew.  She always looked forward to playing with her girl cousins, swimming in Grandma and Grandpa’s pool, and having slumber parties in their room.  

Getting together with the “Koch’s” always brought her so much joy.  She lit up the room with her bubbly personality and zest for life. Whether playing with cousins her age or entertaining the adults, she warmed everyone’s hearts.

Ava loved going to church. She would walk in with her eyes twinkling and her beautiful blond curls bouncing. She liked going to Sunday School, going up for the children's sermon, noisy offering, and playing the shakers on the last song. She also liked wearing beautiful dresses and sparkly things. She was a "sparkle of joy" in the life of everyone blessed to know her. Now she is sharing her beautiful smile, kindness, and sparkle in Heaven.

Ava’s memory will be cherished forever by those who love and miss her so much, her parents, Lindsey and Jared Johnson; big sister, Kylie Johnson; big brother, Quinn Johnson; grandparents, Jim and Terryl Rood, Grand Forks, Steve Koch, Saugas, CA, Eric and Linda Johnson, Salina, KS; great-grandma, Marilyn Rood, Grand Forks; Aunt Tiffanie (Matt) Grodevant and cousins, Ethan, Dawson, Lincoln, Alec, Alyssa, and Jacob, Baldwin, WI; Uncle Travis (Serenity) Johnson and cousins Sherida and Erica, Salina, KS; and many great-aunts, great-uncles, and second cousins.

Ava was greeted at the gates of Heaven by grandma, Jan Johnson; great-aunt, Debra Koch; and great-grandparents Don and Mary Jane Nudell, Ken and Nancy Koch, James H. Rood, Harry and Barbara Johnson, Morris and Junice Burwell, and Richard and Diane Hagen.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service on Monday, September 14, 2020 in Calvary Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.  Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15 also in Calvary Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.  Both events will be available on livestream via Calvary Lutheran Church website (calvarygf.org).  Covid-19 protocols will be followed and masks are required for both events.  The interment will be in Resurrection Cemetery, East Grand Forks and attendance will be limited to family. Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks is in charge of arrangements.