MADISON -- Jesse T. Alswager, age 13, Type 1 diabetes advocate, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, surrounded by his family and those who loved him, due to complications with Type 1 diabetes. He was born on Sept. 24, 1996, at Meriter Hospital in Madison, the son of Tom Alswager and Michelle Page Alswager. Jesse attended Huegel Elementary and currently was in the seventh grade at Toki Middle School. He was everyone's little brother or better known as "the Chill Kid." Jesse had a vibrant personality and an amazing smile. He had the ability to connect with anyone, some would call him "an old soul." Jesse's sisters and brother are going to miss his protective side, his peacekeeping ability and his complete love he had for his family. He was a confident young man, a talented musician and enjoyed playing at the High Noon Saloon. Jesse loved sports, baseball, skateboarding and snowboarding. He inspired a snowboarding camp for other kids with Type 1 diabetes. Jesse's advocacy brought him to Washington, D.C. to speak before Congress and was honored for his stem cell research advocacy by Governor Doyle during a State of the State Address.

He is survived by his parents, Tom Alswager and Michelle (Charles Brausen) Page Alswager; siblings, Sara, Samantha and Joey Alswager; paternal grandparents, Milton (Marie) Alswager and Marijane (Henry) Lesperance; maternal grandparents, Diane (Henry Nicolai) Krigsvold and Larry Page; paternal great-grandmother, Florence Alswager; aunts and uncles, Sue (Robert) Passow, Lori (Mike) Hammett and Daniel Merritt; cousins, Erin, Rachel, Mason and Andrew; and many other loving family and friends. Jesse was preceded in death by his great-grandfather, Harold Alswager; great-grandparents, Violet and Bernard Beck, and Joseph and Elizabeth Liska; and grandfather, Dave Krigsvold.

Funeral services will be held at GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5701 Raymond Road, Madison, at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, with Chaplain Linda O'Leary presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to U. W. Credit Union, Jesse Alswager Memorial Fund. You may express your condolences on the Caringbridge website, www.caringbridge.org.  Once in website, please type, jessealswager. "It's better to burn out, than to fade away."