Pink for Jozie, Orange for Elsie: Two metro-east communties lose kids to cancer
If pink and glitter were personality traits, they would describe 9-year-old Jozie Kraemer perfectly.
“Jozie had the kind of light that filled every room she walked into,” her mother Terri Kraemer told the Belleville News-Democrat in an email. “She was joyful, strong, sassy, kind beyond her years and had a sense of humor that could make anyone laugh.”
For the next week or so, metro-east students and other community members will wear the cheerful color in honor of Jozie, a fourth-grader at Freeburg Elementary, who died Tuesday after a battle with brain cancer.
Jozie loved spending time with friends and family, and wore the title of sister to Wyatt and Rhett proudly, Kraemer said. She especially liked treating her oldest brother, Wyatt, to her skin care routine.
“(He) would allow her to do anything to bring a smile to her face,” Kraemer said. “She brought so much warmth into our family – she truly was the heart and humor of our home.”
Jozie served as the biggest supporter of her brother’s baseball career and was an athlete herself.
“Jozie was an athlete in our program for two years, and most recently spent time at our new gym, playing with the same excitement and joy she always brought as an athlete,” Stealth Elite Cheer posted on Facebook. “Jozie is an inspiration to so many of us.”
Jozie was diagnosed with a rare, cancerous brain tumor known as ATRT, or atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, in August 2024, Kraemer said. The Mayo Clinic describes ATRT as a particularly aggressive, fast-growing cancer that is mostly seen in children.
Kraemer said she first became concerned when Jozie started experiencing headaches and vomiting. The diagnosis came after many appointments and tests, she said.
“We want people to understand how important it is to trust your instincts as a parent,” Kraemer said. “If something feels off, keep asking questions and advocating for your child. Early attention and persistence can make a difference, and no concern is ever too small.”
Kraemer encourages families who have received a cancer diagnosis to “take things one day at a time” and lean on their support system.
In Jozie’s case, that support extended into the Freeburg and Harmony-Emge school districts, the latter of which Kraemer is the intermediate and junior high principal for, and the communities at large.
Kraemer said pink was plastered everywhere, and children could be seen with special “In my strong girl era” T-shirts, referencing Jozie’s favorite artist, Taylor Swift.
Through the years the community has put on fundraisers, made cards, and her school and fire department even threw Jozie a parade for her ninth birthday. Belleville businesses Sawdust and Glitter and Escape 618 also pitched in to make it a memorable day, Kraemer said.
“Our community showed us in the most incredible ways … you truly name it and they did it,” Kraemer said. “They made her smile every day. We will always be grateful.”
Harmony-Emge School District encouraged the community to wear pink for Jozie Friday.
Belleville West is “going pink” in honor of Jozie on Tuesday, April 21. Students are encouraged to dress in pink and meet in the commons at 8 a.m. for pink photo opportunities.
A visitation will be held for Jozie from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 19, with a funeral service to follow, at Valhalla Funeral Home in Belleville, her obituary states. It also says Jozie’s family is asking everyone to bring a photo of memories shared with Jozie to place on a photo board at the funeral home and, of course, to wear pink.
“Jozie would want to be remembered with joy – with pink, with laughter and with love,” Kraemer said. “She would want people to smile when they think of her and to carry forward the kindness she showed every single day.”
Waterloo teen also mourned
Meanwhile, students community members throughout Monroe County will be wearing orange in honor of Elsa “Elsie” Wiemerslage, 16, a sophomore at Waterloo High School, who also died this week after a lengthy battle with cancer.
“She brought so much light, laughter and love into our lives and into the lives of everyone who knew her,” Elsie’s mother, Adrienne Wiemerslage, posted on Facebook. “She was kind, strong and full of dreams, and we will carry her spirit with us every day.”
Elsie’s family could not be reached for comment. An obituary from Quernheim Funeral Home, however, indicated she had much in common with Jozie, apart from their diagnosis.
Elise loved Taylor Swift and “was also her siblings’ biggest fan, proudly cheering them on in hockey, soccer, volleyball, and swim.”
She is survived by her parents, Kevin and Adreinne Wiemerslage, and siblings Clair, 12, and Eli, 10.
“At just 16, Elsie possessed a soul far wiser than her years. She was a rare blend of adventurer and homebody. While she dreamed of traveling the world, she also found deep peace in the simple rhythms of home,” her obituary reads.
Columbia Middle School encouraged students and families to wear orange in memory of Elsie Friday.
“Elsie will be remembered for her strength throughout her journey — she never gave up, even in the face of the most difficult news,” according to her obituary. “She was always ready to fight. Through it all, she remained a ray of sunshine, greeting everyone with a smile and genuine joy. Whether hosting makeovers, having tea parties, or simply sitting together watching a Halloween movie, Elsie radiated warmth, cheer, and love.”
A visitation will be held at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 23. A private funeral service will be held Friday, April 24. A celebration of life will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 24 at Salt & Honey in Waterloo.