Mila Ryan Mursu

Mila Ryan Mursu, beloved infant daughter of Kurt and Julie (Paavola) Mursu was born at 7:02 p.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at Perham Health in Perham, Minnesota.

Mila cried at birth, which every mother and father want to hear, in that moment. Little did we know, that cry would be the only cry we would hear from Mila, other than her high pitched squeal that she showed us a couple times, which still brings smiles to our faces.

Mila was transferred to Sanford Health in Fargo, North Dakota where a multitude of scans, tests and labs were done to identify the cause of her deteriorating health. A day after arriving at Sanford Health, Mila was put on life support, via a ventilator. A spinal fluid sample was sent to a genetic lab in San Diego, CA, where they confirmed Mila’s diagnosis of NKH (Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia), which is a rare genetic condition that prevents the breakdown of glycine in the blood.

Mila was a fighter. When her breathing tube was removed, Mila gave her mom and dad 15 “bonus” hours to love and cuddle her. Mila eventually passed away peacefully at 7:35 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at 1 week old. Although Mila never opened her eyes, we know Mila opened them for the first time while entering Heaven. She will be our little angel looking down on us, until we meet her again in Heaven.

Mila is survived by her parents: Kurt and Julie (Paavola) Mursu of New York Mills; siblings: Macy, Jamie and Dallas Mursu all of New York Mills; grandparents: Rod and Debbie Mursu of New York Mills, Dave and Gina Paavola of New York Mills; great-grandparents: Martin and Helen Mursu of New York Mills; along with many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.

Mila is preceded in death by her great-grandparents: Howard and Darlene Boylan, Wilho and Rosalie Paavola and Reuben and Linda Roberts; and special cousin Ryan Paavola.

Mila’s parents and family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all the nurses and doctors at Perham Health in Perham, Minnesota, as well as the NICU nurses and doctors at Sanford Health in Fargo, North Dakota. The love and tender care that you provided Mila will be forever embedded in our memory when we celebrate Mila’s short time on this earth. We would also like to thank the Ronald McDonald House of the Red River Valley for their generosity and accommodation while Mila was at Sanford Health in Fargo, North Dakota.