October 14, 2008 – January 2, 2026
Ava Grace Myers, an angel on Earth to all who knew her, completed her earthly journey and was welcomed into Heaven on January 2, 2026, at just 17 years old. A Celebration of Ava’s life will be 11 am Saturday, January 10th at LifeGate Fellowship Church in Humboldt.
Visitation will be 4-6 pm Friday, January 9th at the church and continue from 10 am until the time of service at the church on Saturday. Lentz Funeral Home of Humboldt is serving the family.
To know Ava was to know love. She loved deeply and without judgment. She adored her family, friends, nurses, caregivers, teachers, doctors, and therapists, each of whom played a cherished role in her life. Despite significant physical and medical challenges, Ava taught everyone around her the true meaning of love, patience, perseverance, determination, and the importance of laughter. Her mind soared far beyond the limits of her body, and every day spent caring for her was considered an honor by those blessed to do so.
Ava loved her family. She was a self-proclaimed daddy’s girl and thought he could do no wrong. They listened to ‘daddy music’ together, usually consisting of odd and funny country songs, she humored him in watching farm news shows together, and the pair planned countless pranks on others. She adored her big brother, Jack, as they would watch tv and be silly together, and empathize with each other about how ridiculous mom and dad were being. Shower time was when Ava sang loudly with mommy helping her. These moments became affectionately known as “The Concert in the Shower Series” during which Ava politely tolerated mommy singing off-key and lovingly fibbed to mommy that she sings like Cinderella.
Ava was a junior at Humboldt High School, receiving her education through home-bound instruction. She loved school, but she loved her teacher, Tracy Thurm, even more. Ava was incredibly proud of how smart and funny she was, and she found great joy in writing songs and stories with lots of exclamation points!!!!, listening to jokes, and playfully pranking those she loved—always with a sparkle in her eye, a playful furrow of anticipation in her eyebrows, a mischievous smile on her face, and a contagious giggle that revealed she was part of the prank. Ava enjoyed traveling and visited many wonderful places, but her favorite trips were to Disney World with her family and her loving nurse and dear friend, Molly Campbell, by her side. Disney World was Ava’s happy place, where her joy was unmistakable and she truly felt magical.
From a young age, Ava dreamed of becoming a doctor. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN recently made that dream come true when they announced they were making Ava an Honorary PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) Doctor for all of her teachings and innovations that have helped other children around the world. She defied her life expectancy, challenged her specialists to think beyond the textbook and standard expectations, and had multiple case studies written about her. Ava was especially proud to be the first person in the world with a 3-D printed tracheostomy, a milestone that reflected her unique place in medical history. Ava was also a Special Olympics gold medalist in bowling, an achievement that brought her immense pride and happiness.
Ava Grace Myers of Hardy, Iowa, was born in Clarion, Iowa, on October 14, 2008, to J.D. (John) and Jenni (Reiling) Myers. She is lovingly survived by her parents and her big brother and constant sidekick, Jack Myers.
Others left to honor and cherish Ava’s memory include: Grandma Kaye Reiling and Grandpa Kevin Passick, Grandma Linda Myers, and Grandma Latha Reiling; her uncle Jeremy and aunt Holly Reiling and cousins Claire, Cole, Quinn, and Cora Reiling; her aunt Kelsey and uncle Ryan Burke and cousins Declan, Norah, and Caleb Burke; her aunt Teresa and James Moore; and her uncle Dean (Julie Edwards) Otto, along with many great-aunts, great-uncles, and extended family members who loved her dearly. She is also survived by her good friends Payton Williams and Wes Hanrahan. Ava was joyfully welcomed into Heaven by her two grandpas, Grandpa John Myers and Grandpa Randy Reiling. She is undoubtedly already dancing and singing with them and running and playing with her medically complex friends that have gone before her.
Ava’s presence was a gift, and her legacy will continue to live on through the love she shared, the light she carried, and the profound way she changed the world around her.
We will endure a lifetime of missing you for the privilege of loving you.
Memorials may be sent to:
Ava Myers Memorial Fund
c/o Northwest Bank
P.O. Box 669
Humboldt, IA 50548
lentzfuneralhome.com