Chloe April Johnson

Chloe April Johnson, aka Muffinbutt, Little Miss Fussypants and Chloe Sioux; was welcomed into Heaven by God on Saturday morning, August 30th. She put up a courageous and inspiring 3 month fight to overcome complications from her premature birth at 22 weeks and 6 days on May 23rd, 2014. Public visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Wednesday, September 3, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide, Avenue, Bismarck. Private services will be held. Family and friends are invited to attend the graveside service at 3:00 pm Thursday, September 4, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Helping God welcome his little angel into his kingdom was her sibling December, who passed away in utero December 2012; and her great grandparents Everett and Elsie Johnson of Dunnell, MN, Richard and Donna Freeburg of Spirit Lake, IA, Robert and Elaine Kontz of Revillo, SD, and Clifford and Evelyn Lounsbery of Milbank, SD. Running around in circles greeting her are numerous puppies and kitties who have graced the lives of her momma and papa at one time or another. Those who remain, and who have been profoundly changed forever by this precious gift of God, are her parents Sean and April Kontz Johnson of Bismarck, ND; her grandparents William and Dixie Freeburg Johnson of Maple Grove, MN and Greg and Susan Lounsbery Kontz of Dickinson, ND; her Uncle and Godfather Nathan and Aunt Katherine Myers Johnson of St. Michael, MN and Aunt and Godmother Heather Kontz of Dickinson; her cousins Noelle and Dallas; as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends of her parents. Throughout her short life on earth, Chloe had a lasting effect on all who met her or became aware of her fight to survive. She was the commander in chief of an incredible formation called Chloe's Army on Caring Bridge and Facebook. Chloe's Army took the field during mom's early labor in mid-May and rallied to Chloe's side in constant prayer throughout her short life. Thanks to the help of prayer chains and social media, the rolls of this Army grew tremendously and had a worldwide presence. With the help of that Army, Chloe overcame incredible odds by being born alive despite her gestational age and size. She entered this world at 1 pound 3.9 ounces and managed to reach 5 pounds 4 ounces before moving on to be with God. Every day of her life on Earth, she fought to stay here as well as grow and get strong. Chloe gave joy and inspiration to all who knew her. She helped all who were privileged to meet her stop for a moment and see what was truly important in life and to embrace those things closer. She also inspired so many to believe in the power of prayer, including some who did not pray before she touched their lives. She did such a tremendous job uniting so many that perhaps the good Lord felt she could meet a higher purpose at his side. So he decided to call her home after her family all had a chance to celebrate her first Christmas granted, a bit early and say goodbye for now. She has definitely inspired her parents to live the rest of their lives on Earth in a manner which we will be judged worthy of being able to see her again. We will miss our little Muffinbutt, but are forever grateful to God for the gift he gave us all in her. We are thankful first to him for Chloe, allowing us to share the time we were able to share with her, to learn from her, to come to know what unconditional love is through her, to become better spouses to each other, and to proudly be able to bear the titles of momma and papa. We are also thankful to our loving family, to Chloe's Army, and to the professionals at St. Alexius Medical Center and Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. Though the combination of prayer and medicine they helped us enjoy her being in our lives here on Earth for such a short yet blessed time. Special thanks to Chloe's primary nurses Barb, Alana, Laurie, Rowena and Trish. Thank you to all for loving our daughter!

Chloe April Johnson

May 23, 2014 - August 30, 2014