Jackson K. Facile

JACKSON KENNETH FACILE was born on Thursday, October 24, 2019 to Tyson and Monica (Johnson) Facile at Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At 20 weeks gestation, it was confirmed that their little one would be born with AVSD (Atrioventricular Septal Defect), Down Syndrome, and other potential health concerns. Jackson was born weighing 6 pounds, 3 ounces, and 19.25 inches long and the most perfect addition to the Facile family. His first couple weeks were spent in the NICU at Sanford Children’s Hospital. While in the hospital, he immediately proved to be a great snuggler. Mom loved taking all the snuggle time she could get. He adored his Dad from the get go and followed in his footsteps by dressing up like a firefighter for Halloween. Jackson was a tough little fighter and on Wednesday, November 6, he was discharged and headed home to join his family in Luverne, Minnesota.

His siblings loved their baby brother. They took to all aspects of caring for him….taking turns holding the pacifier in his mouth, helping hold the bottle during feedings, changing diapers, and plenty of fighting for who got to hold him next! At one point, Mom and Dad even had to set a timer for snuggles with Jackson just so it was “fair”. Jackson was a blend of all his siblings and had a little bit of each of the kids in his personality. Dad also loved snuggling with Jackson. When night time came, Dad always seemed to find the right song that calmed him and helped him fall asleep in his arms. Mom was always there, cherishing this time together. As much chaos as a family of six can create, Jackson soaked it up and wanted to be right in the thick of it. Mom will always remember being the one to get his first smile.

Their little fighter continued to be tested and on Saturday, March 7th, he was flown to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan to undergo heart surgery. On Tuesday, March 10th while surrounded by his family, Jackson was received into the open arms of Jesus at the age of four months and six days.

In death, Jackson showed his true strength was in the Lord. Though his life was short on earth, Jackson taught others about patience and the importance of faith, family, friends, and community. Jackson was a precious miracle and his spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of his parents, Tyson and Monica; siblings, Elizabeth (Ella), Addisyn (Addi), and Mason; maternal grandparents, Todd and Miriam Johnson of Pipestone, Minnesota; paternal grandparents, Frank and Monica Facile of Jasper, Minnesota; aunts and uncles, Bo (Nicole) Johnson of Windham, Maine, Sam (Austin) Westly of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Veronica (Lucas) Stoffel of Sherburn, Minnesota, Dominic (Kristen) Facile of Morgan, Minnesota, and Ashley Olund of Garretson, South Dakota; cousins, Cooper, Josie, Taliah, Daveon, Kaylynn, Izabell, Hope, and Lincoln; maternal great-grandmother, Frances Parsley of Pipestone, Minnesota, and paternal great-grandmother, Jeanne Facile of Brandon, South Dakota. He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Kenneth and Irene Johnson, John Parsley, Ardell Facile, and Orvil and Elizabeth Stovall.