Ava Nicole Leitze

Ava Nicole Leitze, 20, left this world on May 31st, 2026 at 4:25 p.m., exactly the way she entered it—surrounded by love and held in the arms of her parents.

Ava’s life began in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she lived until the age of three. After moving back to Illinois, she began Kindergarten in Dunlap and remained in the district through eighth grade at Dunlap Middle School. She played many sports in her early years, but everything changed one cold Saturday afternoon when she took her first riding lesson at a local barn. From that moment on, horses became her passion. She was a natural in the saddle—instinctive, fearless, and gifted. She rose from novice rider to seasoned competitor in remarkable time, qualifying for major barrel races by age fourteen, including the National Barrel Horse Association Finals, where she earned the title of 4D State Champion.

Not long after that victory, Ava began noticing changes in her health. The diagnosis devastated her family, but Ava chose to face it with courage and purpose. She used her journey to teach others about perseverance, speaking at events and helping raise money and awareness for leukemia. Despite treatment, she maintained a 4.0 GPA, continued her studies, and was inducted into the National Honor Society.

During her junior year, Ava competed in the Miss Heart of Illinois Fair Queen Pageant—and walked away with the title, representing nine Illinois counties under the crown with grace and pride.

Ava worked at the Boys and Girls Club of Pekin, where she coached the soccer team to a championship victory. The kids adored her. She inspired them, encouraged them, and showed them what resilience truly looks like.

At the start of her senior year, Ava’s leukemia returned. Once again, she fought with determination, completing assignments during chemotherapy, enduring countless labs and scans, and ultimately graduating in the top ten percent of her class of 886—Magna Cum Laude, just 0.001 shy of Summa Cum Laude.

That same year, she competed at the state pageant, delivering a powerful speech on overcoming adversity and “coming home a champion.” She received a standing ovation and earned the Best Communications Award.

Ava was accepted to several universities across the country before choosing the University of Kentucky, where she studied Health Administration. During sorority recruitment, she found her home in Tri Delta—a sisterhood she cherished. By the end of her freshman year, she was selected as Philanthropy Chair for the UK Tri Delta Chapter, a role especially meaningful because of Tri Delta’s philanthropy partnership with St. Jude.

She thrived in college, earning recognition as a four‑time Dean’s List recipient, two‑time President’s List honoree, and a member of the UK Honors Society. She made excellence look effortless.

Ava leaves behind a legacy of determination, kindness, and an unbridled spirit of joy.

Please join us in celebrating our incredible girl as she forges ahead in Heaven to accomplish even greater things.

A celebration of Ava’s life will be held June 7th at Rock Church in East Peoria from 3–6 p.m.

Ava is survived by her parents, Nick and Kari Leitze, sisters, Rowan and Harper Leitze.

Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, online at www.stjude.org/donate or to OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, 8630 State Route 91, Peoria, IL 61615, online at www.osfhealthcare.org/foundation/key-initiatives/hospice/owens-donation