Local man will be honored nationally after helping dozens after passing
It is never easy losing a loved one, but knowing that they live on through others because they were an organ, eye or tissue donor can help soothe the deep pain that death brings.
Johnathan “Johnny” Mondt, a beloved husband, father, son, and brother, passed away in 2021 at the age of 29, but he still lives on in the hearts of many.
His noble decision to be a donor has helped over 75 recipients and has earned him a rightful spot as one of the honorees of the 134th annual Donate Life Rose Parade on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 in Pasadena, Calif.
According to Monica Myles, NVDN Community Development Manager, the annual Rose Parade float will honor 44 donors this year and its theme, Turning the Corner, “celebrates the opportunity of rising above and embracing a fresh start, full of hope and joy” and the float, Lifting Each Other Up, “celebrates the power of organ, eye and tissue donation, with donors and recipients working together to support one another.”
“Johnathan’s family will travel with staff from Nevada Donor Network to the Rose Parade, where they will get to meet other donor families and view the parade in person,” explained Myles in an email.
The Nevada Donor Network (NVDN) hosted an event for the family on Nov. 30 at the Winnemucca Convention Center, where Mondt’s family helped complete a floragraph—a portrait made of natural and organic matter— of Mondt to be displayed on the Rose Parade float, which is broadcast nationally.
County and City officials were also present at the event and surprised Mondt’s family and loved ones by declaring Nov. 30 “Johnathan Mondt Donor Hero Day” for all of Humboldt County and Winnemucca.
“Johnny always had a desire to help people,” said Mondt’s father, Doug Mondt.
This was the first time that a donor from Winnemucca has been honored in this way, according to Humboldt County Undersheriff, Kevin Malone.
Malone is an important partner to the NVDN— with the Sheriff’s Office playing a vital role in coroner duties—as is Sonoma Funeral Home. Both agencies received awards at the Nevada Donor Network Hope Dinner in early November.
“Choosing to be an organ donor means that you are choosing to be a hero sometimes year’s in advance…I’ve been told by many families through the years, that while the loss of their loved one is definitely painful, the grief is softened knowing they live on in others, and they are grateful their family member could help so many others live a longer, more fulfilling life. It is an honor that we can help a decedent complete their heroic act to donate life,” said Malone in an email.
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Investigator, Damon Kuskie, a family friend and the officer that responded to the call about Mondt’s passing, was present and spoke of how he got to know the faith-filled and strong Mondt family, as well as the pain of responding to the call.
“It takes strength to have the hard conversation at a time when grief is at its highest and it takes strength to think of the hope that donations can bring to others when the hurt is unbearable,” said Kuskie.
Myles read a letter to Mondt’s family from one of the donation recipients during the event, which said that “through donations [Mondt] touched the lives of many families.”
Mondt was able to give the gift of sight to two recipients with ocular donations and many more through the donation of tissue, changing the lives of multiple people and families.
There are currently over 100,000 people who are in need of an organ transplant and thousands more who need tissue and or cornea transplants in the United States, according to the NVDN.
“Even though we live in a rural area there is still an opportunity to be a donor and make an impact in someone else’s life —1 organ donation can save up to 8 lives and 1 tissue donation can save up to 75 lives. If your wishes are to be a donor, talk to your family and make your wishes known. Families often struggle with knowing if donation is something their loved one would have wanted so having these conversations now is important and necessary,” said Sonoma Funeral Home Funeral Director, Kailynn Yetter, in an email.