Axel Strong

10/12/2026

10/11/2026

Celebrating the life of our Axel yesterday turned out more perfect than I could ever imagine.
There was so much magic and love filling the air I know Ax felt it all the way up to the stars 🖤

There are so many beautiful memories captured that I cannot wait to share with you all 🖤

I couldn’t have done it without ALL of you.
🖤

For now I’d love to give a special thanks to these small local businesses:

Timberview Ranch & Retreat - providing the most beautiful space to celebrate our baby & letting the entire crew take over the farm and get some alpaca therapy!
*Axel loved all things animals and farm life!

Tonys Tacos (Carmen B. DePaz) - supplying our nacho bar!
*Queso was Axel’s number one favorite food!

Kayla Christian (Three Hearts and a Whisk on IG) - making gorgeous floral cupcakes; including marigolds, Octobers birth month flower!
*Ax LOVED sweet treats and flower shopping with mom (so many good smells to take in)

Kelsey Houchin - pressing well over 200 tshirts/sweatshirts in time for everyone to have fresh shirts for Axels party!
*Ax, always a man of style and swag, would be thrilled to see everyone’s new ax merch!

Amanda Stierhoff - provided and tie-dyed all the newly pressed tie-dyed Ax shirts!
*Ax, the hipster he was, would LOVED to see everyone in the beautiful colors!

Chassidy Hays- balloon arch QUEEN!
*We would always say “it’s not a party without balloons” so for any small celebration or happy moment a balloon or two would have to be involved. Chassidy took it all the way to the top with the balloon art 🖤

Emily Freitag & kids (Friday’s Up North)- Bringing Axel’s horse, Spirit, and her bestie Morning Glory to come party with us AND taking the absolute best care of her for the last few years making sure she gets all the love and care she needs!
*Axel would scream HORSEYYYYY, anytime he thought we were heading to the barn. It didn’t take much convincing for mom to decide to adopt Spirit 4 months after Axel’s D-Day.

🖤

MLD Foundation (Dean & Teryn Suhr) - coming all the way out to IL to honor Axel, speaking on behalf MLD and the advocacy he has been a part of, leading our butterfly release but most importantly supporting us since the beginning of our MLD journey, that started 6 years ago.

Signed by Jacey - painting our newest AxelStrong banner 🪓

🖤

And of course, all of our family and best friends who helped pull everything together and keep me from completely spiraling:
Tiffany Woodard - somehow finding & speaking all the words I couldn’t.
Pamela Stone Krominga - sticking by my side since my high school years, providing so much love and support during some of the darkest times.
Grandma Jean Riordan - being the best grandma for Axel and Ryder plus making all of Axel’s favorite snacks!
& SO many more I could go on forever. We love y’all 🖤



Axel’s Party • The Greatest Party For The Greatest Cowboy

10/05/2026

I am picking up our *new* ax shirts today and will have them ready for pickup tomorrow!
I will send a message when your goods are ready!

Pickup Locations
-Bloomington (off Hershey)
-Downs (near Freedom)
-Margaret (wherever you might find her)
-Funny Farm

& Shipped orders will be sent out.

If you didn’t get a fresh shirt in time for Axel’s Party I have extras listed on his site that are ready to go!

You’re welcome to place an order for the new shirts but they will not be here by Saturday 🖤

These shirts are made and ready to go now! Limited sizes/colors, BUT previous designs available! Pickup & Shipping available!

10/02/2026

Over 130 AxelStrong shirts have already been sold.
I know I always say we have the best community support one could ask for, but every time y'all really show out for Ax.

Knowing that Axel's name will be carried into homes, schools, workplaces and communities near and far by so many different people is a feeling I do not think I can explain.
Knowing every shirt, sticker, hat, bracelet with Axel's name on it, is an opportunity to share his story, his strength, and to keep his legacy alive.
Knowing we will Forever be

With that, we do have a beautiful announcement to share;
In honor of Axel, and continuing his legacy, AxelStrong will be sponsoring the rehabilitation of the Butterfly Garden at Timberview Ranch & Retreat, beginning in spring 2027. It will be created as a beautiful, peaceful place honoring Axel—a space that families and guests at Timberview R&R will be able to enjoy for years to come.

All Ax-Merch proceeds and donations will be going directly to this beautiful project we get to start next year!
We ask, in lieu of flowers for Axel's Party, please feel free to bring your favorite packet of seeds to add to our butterfly garden. Because of all of you, is the reason we get to do all of this.

We have much to share but for now, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for wearing his name, supporting our journey, sharing his story and helping us create something beautiful in his memory.

Forever 8. Forever AxelStrong.