Jonathan Keith Christianson was born October 23, 1987, at Brookings, South Dakota, to Keith and Susan (Madsen) Christianson. He died Thursday, January 2, 2003, at his home in Volga, South Dakota, of neuroblastoma. Jonathan lived with his family in Aurora, South Dakota, for three years and in Brookings for four years, where he attended pre-school at First Lutheran Church and kindergarten and the first grade at Hillcrest Elementary School. He attended Sioux Valley Elementary School in Volga the second through ninth grades. Jonathan caught a Proud Angler walleye on the Missouri River in 1995, and went to Hawaii with his mom in 1996. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and keeping up with all national sports. His favorite teams included the Timberwolves, Patriots, and Mariners. He enjoyed giving Minnesota Vikings fans a hard time. He was interested in NASCAR and attended races in Michigan and Kansas. He liked country music and classic rock. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Volga. Jonathan was diagnosed in June 1998 with neuroblastoma, which he fought hard for four and a half years. He grew up beyond his years showing courage and strength during his treatments. Survivors include his parents, Keith and Susan Christianson, of Volga, South Dakota, and his grandparents: Lawrence and Marie Madsen of Granada, Minnesota, and Don and Lola Stampe of Volga, South Dakota. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Connie Christianson, and grandfather, Christian Madsen.