Kova Julynn Mae Gillstrap passed away on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, at Altru Hospital, Devils Lake at the age of seven years.
Funeral Services for Kova were held on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, at River of Life, Assembly of God Church, Devils Lake with Pastor Brandon Wegener officiating. Music was provided by Joy Wegener and there was a time of fellowship in the church dining hall following the funeral service. Kova’s brothers Elijah, Jaxzyn, Cartyr and Ryker asked everyone to wear pink or purple in her honor.
Family requested no floral arrangements or plants be given as a memorial. Please give a girl’s backpack, girl’s tennis shoes or donate to the family go-fund me at Gate City Bank in memory of Kova.
Kova Julynn Mae Gillstrap was born Sept. 15, 2018, in Fargo, N.D. to Ashley Dahly (Devils Lake) and Joshua Gillstrap (Minot). She was a little fighter from the start and spent 80 days in the NICU then joined her family at home.
Kova attended Sweetwater elementary and was about to enter second grade this year. She loved her makeup and would take any opportunity she could to do her friends/cousins make up in her room and she was a pro at eyeliner wings thanks to her Aunt Shelbe. Being the only girl in a house full of boys – she was tough. Not quite tough enough for crickets as we discovered a few weeks ago with the recent addition of two Geckos to our family. Loved flies though. She was the girl in a pink frilly dress stomping through the mud. Nails done making squishies with clay in the backyard. She may have been the youngest but she was definitely the one to direct the chaos and keep her brothers in line. She was as sassy and sweet as they come. She could lift the mood in every room she walked into with her little grin and giggle.
Her brothers were her heroes; Elijah, Jaxzyn, Cartyr, and Ryker. They were a team. Could find them riding bikes around the neighborhood together with their friends. Splashing in the pool in the backyard. She was our little fishy – or gaming in their rooms… She just loved being with them wherever that was…
She also LOVED spending time with her nonbiological and biological family we have collected along the way. Her grandparents Tyrone (late) and Pamela. Lynn and Donnie. Myron, Linda and Rita. Friends Patrick and Jacob. Aunts, uncles and cousins. Derrick and Katie and their girls. Autumn, Levi and Trey. Rachielle. Jenny, Derek and their kids. Shelbe and her boys. Casey and Cody and their kids. Mariah, Andrew and Loki. Alexis and kids. Buff and Isaac. Rebecca and her boys. Uncle Scott and Jamie and their girls. Jessica and her family. Time with these people were her absolutely favorite.
Kova is survived by her parents Ashley Dahly and Joshua Gillstrap. Brothers Elijah, Jaxzyn, Cartyr and Ryker. Grandparents Pamela, Lynn and Donnie. Along with many more aunts, uncles and cousins and friends.
Kova is preceded in death by her grandpa Tyrone Dahly and Aunt Danielle Gillstrap.