Eli Smith

Eli Carter Smith
Ankeny, IA

Eli Carter Smith, 11, passed away on April 25th, 2024, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA due to complications from an acute illness. Eli was born on February 20th, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, IA to Kelly Boesenberg-Smith and Ryan Smith. He was the youngest of three children, though only by a short seven minutes.

Eli was a happy child, always with an infectious rumbling laugh and a broad smile on his face. He had an envious quick wit that would bring joy and comic relief to those around him. Eli was inquisitive and never lacked questions that sometimes not even Google or Alexa knew how to answer.

Being the second-born twin, Eli was the family’s bonus child, and the reason why Dad gladly traded in his small truck for a minivan. Eli and Dad bonded over watching sports, building pinewood derby cars, enjoying the outdoors, and playing jokes on the family. As a baby Eli was Mom’s special little guy, and he would prefer snuggles with her over almost anything. Even as Eli grew, Mom would be the first person he would share news, tears, and heartfelt hugs with. Eli and Mom, or Ma’am Laughs-A-Lot, had special nicknames for each other which would lead to lots of laughter around the kitchen table.

Eli looked up to his older brother Owen. While the brothers had their own interests and personalities, they found common ground in their love for fishing at the pond by our home, camping in the backyard, and juvenile humor best appreciated by young boys. Eli and twin sister Audrey shared a special bond as only twins can, and were inseparable growing up. As babies they spoke in their own language that only they could understand. As they got older, Audrey and Eli continued to look out for each other while encouraging one another to grow into their own individual selves.

Eli tolerated school so he could participate in P.E., play football at recess, and be with his friends. He was short on words when talking about what he was learning in class, but never neglected to share the latest on kickball games against other school grades.

Eli was very active and had a love for playing and watching sports. He tried a little bit of everything, but enjoyed playing baseball and flag football the most. Eli enjoyed riding his new red mountain bike, running around with his friends, and swimming in any body of water he visited. Eli liked attending sporting events and cheered for the Iowa State Cyclones, Minnesota Vikings, Iowa Wild, and Iowa Barnstormers.

Eli was well-traveled and had the stamina to endure all family road trips and vacations, both large and ridiculously massive. These trips included visiting 40 states, 5 Canadian provinces, 84 National Park Service sites, as well as countless zoos, amusement parks, waterparks, and museums. He enjoyed exploring new places and embraced the Smith family motto of collecting experiences instead of things. We believe a few of his favorite experiences were climbing to the top of the Statue of Liberty, viewing the solar eclipse, horseback riding in the Rocky Mountains, riding the Mine Ride roller coaster at Cedar Point, our special day at Universal Studios, and Family Camping Extravaganza. Although, if you were to ask Eli his favorite experience, his response would be “All of it!”

In his final act of selflessness, Eli was an organ donor and provided life-saving gifts to five people in need across the country. When we were asked to share a few words with the transplant teams to be read prior to Eli’s surgery, we felt these were the ones that described him best: competitive, inquisitive, cheerful, compassionate, loving, thoughtful, and brave. We can now add another word to that list- superhero.

Those left to cherish Eli's memory include his mother Kelly, father Ryan, brother Owen, twin sister Audrey, grandparents Lucretia, Karen, and Brian, aunt Heidi, uncle Adam, cousins Mabel, Porter, and Clara, and many additional extended family members who love him dearly.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 18th from 1-4PM at Prairie Ridge Middle School at 1010 NW Prairie Ridge Dr, Ankeny, IA 50023. Come prepared for a casual and kid-friendly event that might just include green hooded sweatshirts, dodgeball games, and a Mario Kart tournament.

An additional celebration in Eli’s honor will be held on Friday, June 7th from 7:15-9:15PM at Cascade Falls Aquatic Center at 2350 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny, IA 50023. The entire facility will be available for everyone of all ages to enjoy.

For those who wish to honor Eli, please consider making a donation to one of the following organizations:

Iowa Donor Network
https://www.iowadonornetwork.org/give/make-a-contribution

Child Life Program at Blank Children's Hospital
https://give.unitypoint.org/give/573944/#!/donation/checkout

Walk With You – Child Loss Support
https://www.walkwithyounonprofit.org/donate

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