It is with great sadness that the family of Noah James Levi Wanamaker, Harrisburg, SD, age 4, announce his passing on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at Sanford Children's Castle of Care Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD.

Memorial Services will be held 4:00 pm Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Miller Southside Chapel, 7400 S Minnesota Avenue (81st and Minnesota Ave.) The family will be present for visitation prior to the service, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Southside Chapel.  **In honor of Noah, the family encourages friends attending the service to wear his favorite color pink!

Noah James Levi Wanamaker was born on March 18, 2020 in Grand Rapids, MI to Matt and Tarren Osredkar.  Noah was born with 1q43-44, a rare chromosome deletion.

Noah was adopted by Matt and Kaitlyn Wanamaker on March 18, 2021 on his 1st birthday with his Michigan family joining us in this celebration.

Noah faced many challenges in his short life including physical mobility, speech, feeding tube and a ventilator.  Epileptic seizures were an all too common event for him, and he was transported via ambulance 55 times, 54 of which were with the Harrisburg Community Fire Department.  He earned the nickname of "Mr. Spicy" which was quite fitting for him in every sense.

In spite of all his challenges, Noah had a zest for life.  He never seemed to let these setbacks slow him down.  He was a warrior and a rock star until the very end.

Those who Noah met quickly grew to love him.  Even though Noah could not talk, that didn't prevent him from communicating in his own unique way.  Noah spoke with his eyes and had unique vocalizations.  He was extremely gifted in giving the "stink eye" when he disapproved of something or wasn't happy.  He would blink once for yes and twice for no.  It was not unusual in the past few weeks to shake his head no in disapproval, or grinding his teeth, especially when he was done being fussed over by his Doctors and nurses.

Noah loved life.  Some of his favorite things were music, watching movies, especially super heroes.  He enjoyed going for walks and loved being out in the fresh air.  He loved music time with his Uncle Ron, especially when uncle would play his harmonica.  He cherished his time with his brother and sister and loved their snuggle times with him.  Pop Pop and Noah would practice their Tarzan yells which he had mastered pretty darn good!

Exposed toes were always fun to tickle.  Bedtime always included being carried to his room by dad and spinning around and around with a huge smile on his face.  He loved getting kisses and would make kissy lips faces and then would give you head boops when he wanted more. Noah loved books and being read to.  You could see those little wheels spinning as he took in every word being spoken to him.  His favorite color was pink.  Anything pink he loved.  One of his favorite TV shows was Blue Bloods.  He and Memaw would watch this together and he would be glued to the screen,

Trips to see his birth family in Michigan were extra special.  Being able to spend time with his birth family will be memories that we will all cherish.

We are so grateful to Noah's birth family for allowing us to shower him with love these past 4 years.  The road has not been an easy one but we wouldn't change a thing.

Noah was granted a Make A Wish which he was able to have before he passed.  On Monday, November 11, we celebrated Noah's 4th birthday which we didn't get to celebrate earlier this year due to Noah being hospitalized due to a seizure.  We also celebrated an early Christmas with family including a visit from the man himself, Santa.

The Harrisburg Community Fire Department honored Noah by making him an honorary firefighter, presenting him with a certificate, patches and a fireman's helmet.  He had a great day and we can't thank Make A Wish enough for giving him this special time with family and friends.

Noah's love extends to his wonderful doctors, nurses and staff at Sanford Children's Castle PICU.  These folks have a special place in our hearts.  Because of their continual dedication, love and support, Noah was able to survive some of his toughest medical challenges. Grateful to Universal Pediatrics for providing him such wonderful care over the last 4 years.  He had some incredibly dedicated nurses whom he loved so much.

Left to cherish Noah James memory are his parents, Matt and Kaitlyn Wanamaker, Harrisburg, SD; siblings, Beau and Oaklee; birth-parents, Matt and Tarren Osredkar, Buckley, MI; siblings, Theo and Kinsley; grandparents, Larry and Jodi Wanamaker, Inwood, IA; Doug and Kathy Blomker, Harrisburg, SD; Doug and Lea Boman, Buckley, MI; Dawn Nowacek, Muskegon, MI; Fred and Patti Osredkar, Lewiston, MI; Art Clous, Buckley, MI; great-grandparents, Kathy Skelton, Whiting, IA; Karen Kreiser, Buckley, MI; Art Clous, Buckley, MI; Barb Boman, Sanford, MI; Godparents, Ron and Mercedes Blackman, Tea, SD; and honorary Godparent, Piper Blaisdell.

Noah was loved by a host of extended family and great family friends, and even friends he hadn't met.

The service will be live streamed using this link: https://youtube.com/live/H13-3jjGlLs?feature=share