Emmylou Elise Wetlaufer (2011-2022)

WETLAUFER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/8/2022 at 20:22:20

Emmylou Elise Wetlaufer died May 5, 2022, in her home in Cedar Rapids. She suffered a seizure in the night and passed on. Emmylou was born on November 18, 2011, to parents Colin and Tamara in Waterloo, Iowa. She suffered a traumatic brain injury during birth and was subsequently diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and later with epilepsy. However, her birth injury and diagnoses did not define her. Emmylou was raised to be proud of how God made her and the special plan he had for her life. She was a confident, self-assured 10 year old, with big plans for her future. Emmylou was her own advocate and made herself heard. She loved life and she loved Jesus. Emmylou was dedicated to Christ on April 9th, 2012 at First Baptist Church in Independence, Iowa. Emmylou brought joy and light to all those who had the privilege of knowing her. She could light up a room with just her smile and dimple. Emmylou had physical, occupational, and speech therapy services her entire life and was blessed with therapists who became more like family, who made therapy fun by mixing laughter with hard work. She was known for her drive and grit in the face of challenges. Emmylou worked hard at her therapies to achieve her goals. She touched and inspired everyone she interacted with.

Emmylou spent her preschool and kindergarten years at Cedar Valley Montessori School in Cedar Rapids. She attended Summit Schools in Cedar Rapids for first and second grades, and was homeschooled during the pandemic. Emmylou was excited to start public school this fall. She enjoyed school, had favorite teachers who inspired her, and made good friends at school and therapy. Emmylou especially enjoyed challenging her mom to complete an entire homeschool lesson in the voice of whatever Harry Potter character she chose that day. She spent her life surrounded by her family and people who loved her. She loved to read and write stories. She was a great storyteller and had a wonderful sense of humor. Emmylou loved spending time at her family cabin in northern Minnesota, swimming in the lake, and going to the beach. She looked forward to trips to Arizona to see her Great Grandparents and Great Aunt. She liked traveling, or any excuse to swim in a hotel pool. Emmylou enjoyed chocolate milkshakes, wrestling with her younger brother Olin, taking care of her baby brother Sven, playing with her cousins, playing family hide-and-seek before bedtime, singing her favorite songs, kitchen dance parties, all things Wonder Woman, Harry Potter, and unicorns. Emmylou always wanted to know what was for dessert. Her favorite color was purple.

Emmylou is survived by her parents, Colin and Tamara Wetlaufer, and younger brothers Olin and Sven. She was the first grandchild to both Roger and Mary Wetlaufer of Cedar Rapids, and Thomas and Sonja Leahy of Cedar Rapids. She is also survived by her Great Grandmother Esther Wetlaufer of Oro Valley, AZ; Great Aunt Roxann of Oro Valley, AZ; Uncle Shane (Trisha) Leahy of Cedar Rapids, Aunt Valerie Wetlaufer of Cedar Rapids, Uncle Sean (Gina) Leahy of Cedar Rapids; her beloved cousins Rhiannon, Victoria, Michael, Paul, and Lachlan.

She was proceeded in death by her Great Grandfather, Roger Byrd Wetlaufer, who loved and adored her, and she him.

Visitation: 4-7 PM, Thursday, May 12, 2022, at Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom. Memorial Service: 10:30 AM, Friday, May 13, 2022, at Veritas Church. Private Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

All memorial contributions should be given to Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation, or the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital.