Ethan Smith, 5

Published 12:00 am Monday, May 10, 2010

Ethan David Smith went to his “The Next Place” in heaven, at the age of 5 years on Thursday, May 6, 2010, while in the arms of his parents.
Ethan was born on July 27, 2004, at Meriter Hospital in Madison to Travis and Jennifer (Nondorf) Smith. He lived with them and his siblings, Lillian, 9, and Gabriel, 1, in Dodgeville, Wis.
Ethan was a brave boy who overcame many challenges with a smile. He was the strongest person we have ever known.
E loved school, his teacher, Mrs. Sarah Godfrey, and all of his classmates at DES even with the short time he had with them. He enjoyed watching Spongebob, playing Indiana Jones Lego’s on the Wii, dot-to-dots and Maze books. He was an unbelievable reader and enjoyed reading. But most of all, E loved his parents, his big “sissy” Lilly and his baby brother Gabe “Tarzan” whom he brought so much joy.
Ethan is survived by his parents; siblings: Lillian and Gabriel; grandparents: John and Sherry Nondorf and David and Lonna Smith; great-grandparents: Betty Bomkamp, Lewina Nondorf and Kenneth Jorgenson; his “brother and best-friend,” Sean Reilly; aunts and uncles: Troy Smith, Jason and Jackie Boley, Matt and Christy Thompson, Ryan and Lauri Reilly, Marci Nondorf and Josh Hoffman; cousins: Brayden, Nic, and Kinsey Boley, Alex, Jamison, and Julia Thompson, Sean, McKenna, and Addison Reilly; especially, “Grandma” Janice and “Papa” Ron Boley, and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his great-aunt, Debra Bomkamp; great-uncle, James Nondorf; great-grandpa, Robert Bomkamp; great-aunt, Diane Kosharek; great grandpa, Raymond Nondorf; great-grandparents: Hershell and Dorothy Smith; and great-grandma, Matilda Jorgenson.
A special thanks to Dr. Kenneth DeSantes, Joyce Kilgore-Carlin, Katy Zahm, Linda, and the entire Hem Onc staff at the American Family Children’s Hospital for their four years of unconditional compassion. And to Dr. Michael Burke, and staff at the University of Minnesota, Fairview, for giving us a chance.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dodgeville, Wis. The Rev. Patrick Wendler will officiate. Burial will be held in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Gorgen-McGinley & Ayers Funeral Home in Dodgeville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family or the charity of your choice.