Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Rynn Willgohs 1972-2024

Live and Learn | October 13th, 2024

Rynn Willgohs

January 25, 1972-October 8, 2024

Rynn Azerial Willgohs, age 52, of Vantaa, Finland, died by suicide on October 8, 2024.

Rynn became her true-self March 31, 2020. She immediately became a vocal and involved activist in the Fargo-Moorhead community and beyond. She was an avid supporter of informed care. Rynn held positions on boards and panels that advocated for transgender rights and access to healthcare. She founded TRANSport, “a nonprofit organization dedicated to transporting at-risk transgender individuals outside of the United States of America into a more accepting world.”

She was paving the way by moving to Finland. It was important to Rynn to have the experience she was helping others to achieve, whether it was name change, transgender care, or seeking asylum. At the time of her death, she was working through the asylum and immigration process.

Rynn was a beloved community organizer, cherished friend, and inspiring leader to people around the world. She is survived by her chosen family, fellow activists, and supporters.

If you or someone you care about is having thoughts of suicide, please call or text the Suicide Life and Crisis Line 988. If you are in the local Fargo-Moorhead area, you can call 211 for a listening ear.

A celebration of her life, officiated by Rev. Karen Van Fossan, will be held for Rynn’s friends and loved ones this fall. The celebration will be intercultural and interfaith, including no faith, welcoming all traditions. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Project RAIIndigenous Association (of Fargo-Moorhead), FirstLink or the affirming organization of your choice.

Recently in:

By Dr Christopher Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, Sollera For nearly fifty years, this region has known us as Rape and Abuse Crisis Center. We have answered late-night calls. Sat in hospital rooms. Walked with victim survivors…

By Michael M. Miller Francie M. Berg, native of Hettinger, N.D., edited an impressive book, “Ethnic Heritage in North Dakota,” published in 1983. She grew up on a ranch near Miles City, Montana. Her son, Richard Berg, is…

June 6-7StatewideYou grab a line and I’ll grab a pole — and if you’re a North Dakota resident, you can head on down to your favorite fishing hole, no license needed (for this weekend, anyway). All other rules still apply…

By Sabrina Hornung As the school year comes to a close, a new crop of young people are starting a new chapter in their lives. As a former young person, I’d like to offer my unsolicited advice. As cliche as it may sound, be the…

By Ed RaymondWere women created to do the work of God?One of the first requests made by new Pope Leo XIV was to invite an expert on the alt-right conservative Catholic organization known as Opus Dei to brief him about its…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick GionThe scarfing of canned fish and seafood products by online food influencer types is hard to miss on social media these days. Some of the consumed morsels range from exquisite to downright nasty. However, there are many…

June 3-6, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.FARGODOME, 2800 N. University Dr., FargoDo we dare call RibFest the ultimate summer kickoff in Fargo? Well, we just did. Enjoy succulent ribs, pulled pork, brisket and so much more. Featuring top notch…

By Greg Carlson Filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan gives longtime pal Martin Short the celebrity documentary treatment in new Netflix movie “Marty, Life Is Short.” With a half century of show business experience under his belt, Short…

By Sabrina Hornung The Plains Art Museum has been a trailblazing force in the North Dakota art scene since its inception and it’s not slowing down any time soon. In fact, this summer they are preparing to break ground on a major…

Saturday, January 31, 6:30-9 p.m.Transfiguration Fitness, 764 34th St. N., Unit P, FargoAn enchanting evening celebrating movement and creativity in a staff-student showcase. This is a family-friendly event showcasing pole, aerial…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

By Eli Liverani Cholesterol is probably one of the first molecules I have ever heard of in my childhood. Most of the relatives on my mother's side had high cholesterol in their blood, and apparently, levels above a certain range…

January 31, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.Viking Ship Park, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead2026 marks 10 years of frosty fun! Enjoy sauna sessions with Log the Sauna, try Snowga (yoga in the snow), take a guided snowshoe nature hike, listen to live…

By Jim Fuglie I was out for a walk on a fine Bismarck spring evening, strolling down 4th St. alongside the state capitol grounds, when I noticed some dirt work being done on the spot where the former governor’s residence had…