Ava Marie Robbennolt, 7, of Gettysburg, danced her way into the gates of Heaven on Saturday, November 22,
2025, at Sanford Children’s Hospital Sioux Falls, surrounded by her loving parents and family.
Funeral Mass will be 9:00 a.m., Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Gettysburg High School, Gettysburg, SD with
Bishop Donald DeGrood and Father Joseph Holzhauser concelebrating. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart
Catholic Cemetery, Gettysburg. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 28, 2025, at the school
with a program and time of sharing at 6:00 p.m.
In honor of sweet Ava, please wear purple or pink, any shade, or your Ava’s Army shirt and all the sparkles and
glitter. Let’s fill the room with the colors of her laughter, her love, and her light.
Ava Marie Robbennolt was born July 12, 2018, to Blake and Blair (Roman) Robbennolt in Pierre, SD.
Ava was a 2nd grader at Gettysburg Elementary School. She enjoyed reading, recess, music, and being involved
in Student Council. She loved playing basketball and soccer and was excited about trying out volleyball this
year. When she wasn’t at school, she’d be at the park, with dad at the farm, at her cousin’s or home doing crafts.
She loved our Friday movie nights with pizza and treats. She was constantly dancing around and singing with
her microphone. She was the best big sister and little mama to her two brothers. Ava had the most infectious
smile and laugh, the most beautiful eyelashes and lips, and the spunkiest, sweetest soul. She had a way of
befriending everyone she met. She was particularly looking forward to receiving her First Communion this year,
she was blessed to be able to receive that as well as her Confirmation from Bishop DeGrood.
Ava was diagnosed with myoepithelial carcinoma and chondrosarcoma in March of 2024. She quickly became
the bravest warrior we ever knew and was the spirit of “Ava’s Army.” Although her fight with cancer was short,
she had been through more in those 21 months than most adults and she had a smile on her face through most of
it. Her legacy of joy, kindness and silliness will live on forever.
Ava will forever be missed by her parents: Blake and Blair of Gettysburg; younger brothers: Finn and Rhett;
grandparents: Steve and Laurie Robbennolt of Gettysburg and Britt and Twila Roman of Sioux Falls; great-
grandparents: Roger and Jan Melius of Faulkton and Tommy and Linda Willis of Louisiana; aunts and uncles:
Katelyn and Chris Ampe of Minnesota, Kelcey Robbennolt and Chance Terrill of Redfield, Amber and Andy
Mikkelsen, Tyler and Kelsey Fischer, Michael Fischer and Taylor Jens all of Gettysburg, Matt and Megan
(Fischer) Ellens of Madison, Morgan and Gaige Marshall of Sioux Falls, Jordan Roman of Gettysburg, and
Bailey Roman of Sioux Falls; cousins: Olivia, Neva and Isabelle Mikkelsen, Nash, Charlie, Daxton and Croix
Fischer, Camdon Fischer, Tucker Terrill, and Griffin and Halle Marshall; godmother: Megan Cebulla of
Minnesota; godfather: Jake Ronke of Watertown; and countless friends, classmates, and Sanford family.
Ava was preceded in death by her angel brothers/sisters; Grandma Marie Robbennolt; uncle, DJ Fischer; cousin,
Penelope Marshall; and many other guardian angels.
A memorial account has been established in Ava’s honor at First Interstate Bank, 111 N East St, Gettysburg, SD
57442.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Ava’s arrangements. (www.luceluzereck.com)

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