Dodgeville - Bryce Thomas Heckendorf, 18 months, earned his superhero cape and angel wings on Wednesday, November 26, 2014, after a brave and courageous yearlong battle with Krabbe Disease.

He was born on Monday, May 6, 2013, to his loving parents, Kyle and Jenna Heckendorf, at the Upland Hills Health Center in Dodgeville. Bryce was a happy, smiling baby boy, growing and thriving for nearly six months before his diagnosis. His favorite book was Commotion in the Ocean, and upon turning the page to "SHARK!" his sky blue eyes would light up and he'd let out the cutest, raspiest little laugh you'd ever heard. His smiles lit up the room — and the lives of every single person who knows and loves him. He is and always will be loved beyond measure. As much as we want Bryce here on Earth with us, he is now free from this horrible disease. Our most handsome boy is whole once again, smiling, running, playing. Doing all the things little boys are meant to do.

He leaves behind his family who will always love and miss him: Parents Kyle and Jenna Heckendorf (Dodgeville); Grandparents Bart and Wendy Heckendorf (Mosinee); Grandparents Tom and Sue Kuenster (Glen Haven); Uncle Keith (Mia) Heckendorf (Cary, NC); Uncle Kole (Kristen) Heckendorf (Sauk Rapids, MN); Aunt Jamie (Brady) Martin (Shoreview, MN); Uncle Jake Kuenster (Madison); Uncle Josh Kuenster (Glen Haven); cousins Madelyn and Elizabeth Martin; Great Grandparents: Geraldine Kutz (Lodi), Betty Berghammer (Kenosha), Neil and Rosemary Kuenster (Lancaster), and Bob and Marcia Mezera (Glen Haven); many great aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends; and the amazing #B.Strong family. Bryce and his story touched so many lives, and he has taught us so much about life, love, and what's truly important.

A celebration of Bryce's life, a mass of Christian burial, will be held Monday, December 1, 2014, at 11 am at ST. MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS CHURCH in Glen Haven, followed by a luncheon. Please wear your best blue for our blue-eyed boy.

In lieu of gifts and flowers, please consider a donation in Bryce's memory to Hunter's Hope Foundation, which works to educate and raise awareness about Krabbe Disease and newborn screening, as well as support the families of children afflicted with this devastating disease: HuntersHope.org.