Riley Taylor Smith-Tourville

Riley Taylor Smith-Tourville was the larger-than-life beloved son of Scott Taylor, Lisa McFarland, and Melissa (Big Mom) and Amanda Smith-Tourville (Lil Mom) and cherished bonus child of Sarah Barkdull, Erin (Mango) and Liss Kaspar-Frett, and Tim and Sharon Sutliff. Riley was the absolutely adored brother of Jeffery, Patience, Alex, Zachary, Robbie, Jazmine, Nicole, Lindsay, Bethany (Beef), Michael, Meagen (1992-2007), Keith, Christian, Kelan, August, Amos and bonus brother of Dano, Doug, Feaster, Gia, Rose, Korvid, Emmett, Fallon, Bronwyn, and Raven. Riley was deeply loved by his grandparents Brian and Judy Wold, Brian and Gail Tourville, Evelyn Hunt, and Mary Cheney. Riley was held close and protected by his aunties and uncles- Lorie, Bart, Rachel, Tyler, and Brandy, and cousins Julia, Noah, Miriam, Lawrence, Lilah, Shay, Meredith, and Tipton. Riley was the trusted, adored uncle who always made time to play with and talk to his nieces and nephews, Gavin, Cameron, Connor, Ian, McKinlee, Avery, Grace, Maisey, Abel, Asha, Kale, Madysen, Willow, Evan, Jackie, and Charlie, and an endless list of friends and community who would give anything not to be reading this obituary.

There has never been a child born on this earth more wanted, loved, cherished, treasured, and under an umbrella of protection than our Riley. Within the care and guidance of everyone listed above, Riley grew into a young man who was unapologetically himself. He worked harder than should have been possible. He was a masterful singer and songwriter, who poured his soul into his music. Riley expressed himself as a child through his art. He was a brilliant creative genius who sought to understand the way things worked from perspectives that many would never contemplate. He was a deep thinker. A kind soul. Riley loved to cook, especially for those he loved. Taking after his father Scott and his Lil Mom, he could turn simple ingredients into magic! Riley loved animals. He found them far less perplexing than humans. Perry, Maggi, Mason, Copper, Hoka, and MeiMei all brought him joy, but no one compared to Riley’s BlueBear. Blue was a dog who found people as confusing as Riley found them. They spent all of their days together, until Riley was by her side as she took her final breath. Riley kept her bowl, leash, and tags in his apartment and her photos were displayed in every direction in his home. It is a small comfort to imagine them reunited in one another’s arms, again.

Riley was the earth, the moon, the sun, and the stars to his Lil Mom. Her whole world has come undone in one moment in time. Riley would have done anything to make sure she knew how much he loved her. Their bond was unmistakable and unshakable.

Robbie and Mady stood at our bedside weeping and explained that he was the point in their triangle and they would never be the same without him. Riley loved them with his whole all that he had.

AJ (Amos), Dano and Robbie were Riley’s champions, his guiding lights, the men to his mancave. They will forever have a hole in their heart, an empty chair at their gaming table, and a brokenness where this loss now lives.

Jackie. His beautiful beloved niece. He spent nearly six years loving her, holding her, reading to her, teaching her about life, introducing her to his favorite things. On September 18, 2025, days away from her sixth birthday, Jackie lost her VIP, her best friend, her confidante. She is left with memories that we can only hope will hold, and hundreds of videos and photos of them together. She said, “I miss Riley so much. I don’t understand why Riley wanted to die.” I don’t either, baby. None of us do. We never told her that Riley wanted to die. She is too little to understand. She kept guessing. “Was it a bear?” Sort of. But not the kind that lives in the woods. The kind that lives inside you and roars until the pain becomes unbearable.

Suicide leaves more questions than answers. Among them, how could someone who was surrounded by so many people who loved him feel so deeply lonely?

In honor of our beloved son, brother, nephew, uncle, grandson, cousin, and friend, please call the person you keep meaning to call. Please take that person to lunch that you keep meaning to get together with. Mend wounds. Love one another well. Heal. Show up. In honor of our Riley, always show up for the people you love. They may not be there tomorrow to have another chance.

Riley, you left an impact on every person you touched. I am so sorry that the pain was unbearable. We will all work harder to show up and love one another in your honor. We promise.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 5, 2025 at Bullfrog Fish Farm (N1409 566th St. Menomonie, WI 54751)

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com