Draper, Jocelyn J.

Jocelyn J. Draper, 8, of Holstein, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at Cherokee Regional Medical Center in Cherokee, Iowa. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. today at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Holstein, with the Rev. Curtis E. Benson officiating. Burial will be at a later date at Dupont Cemetery, Swisher. Arrangements are with Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home in Holstein.

Jocelyn Jane Draper was born April 8, 2002, in Sioux City, Iowa. She grew up in Holstein and attended Galva-Holstein Schools. Jocelyn enjoyed school, especially mathematics. The bond that she developed with her teachers and classmates remained strong, even when she had to study away from school during her treatments.

Jocelyn was a sweet and intelligent girl full of energy and sass. Despite being diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma in 2009, Jocelyn lived her life with joy and optimism. She loved her cats, watching movies, swimming, playing her DS and UNO, counting money, and collecting Webkinz and leopard-print items. She was especially proud of her long painted fingernails and her cat, Pebbles.

Through lengthy visits at Children's Hospital in Omaha, Jocelyn mastered the details of her treatments, often advising her caregivers of just the right techniques to use. Jocelyn's sister, Jordan, was an important member of Jocelyn's care team, yet still maintained a traditional role as big sis. The girls taught each other valuable lessons and shared special moments just between themselves.

Waiting to greet Jocelyn in Heaven are her father, Mark; maternal grandmother, Elaine; dear friend, Alisha; and cat, J.C.

Left behind to cherish the memory of Jocelyn are her parents, Jeanne and Jason Ehler; sisters, Jordan and Mercedes Draper; grandparents, Roman and Peg Zach, Diane and Jeff Thomas, Jim Draper and Dan and Mindy Ehler. Lovingly remembering Jocelyn are her uncles, aunts and cousins, George and Heather Zach and children Brett and Keenan, Todd and Nancy Zach, Andrea Zach and daughters Monisha and Anisha, Michelle and Brian Rupp and children, Nicole, Trysten, Madison and Taryn, Jessica and Clinton Jorgenson and daughter Calleigh, and Katie Ehler and daughter Mattea. Holding Jocelyn in their hearts are her extended families, Morgan and Mary McAreavy and their children, Patrick, Maddy and Annie and Dave and Sean Easterby and their children, Steven, Michael, Rebecca and Grace; and special friends, Tara Miller, Dan, Cloe and Jaden Droegmiller and Kate Kofmehl.