Tammy Lou Tope passed away on August 24th, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held at Brookside Park Hickory Shelter (1325 6th Street, Ames, by the old firetruck) on Sunday, September 8th at 12:00PM with a lunch and reception following.
Tammy was born on April 15, 1968, in Sioux City, IA, and adopted into her forever family at just 10 days old by Janet and Henry Thomas. Tammy grew up with three other adopted siblings and many foster siblings on a farm outside Emmetsburg where they attended school until they moved to Ames, IA in 1980.
During her sophomore year at Ames High School, Tammy met a Senior named Don Tope. They dated for a few years before tying the knot on April 29, 1989. On August 20 that year, she welcomed their oldest daughter, Tiffany. On May 11, 1993, she would welcome their second daughter, Tanya. On Valentine’s Day of 2000 their third child, Derrick, was born.
Tammy worked several custodial jobs over the years, taking after her mom, Janet. You could find her at the Ames Tree Nursery, the former Holiday Inn (now Gateway Hotel), followed by Mary Greeley Medical Center where she worked for 14 years before moving on to the Ames Community School District for another 13 years, retiring at the beginning of 2024.
Tammy loved nothing more than her family, especially her children and grandchildren.
Tammy was preceded in death by her father, Henry Thomas; her sister, Lois Deaton; her brother, Troy Thomas; along with her grandparents, and other aunts and uncles.
Tammy is survived by her husband, Don; her mother, Janet Thomas; her brother, Gerald (Diane) Thomas; her daughters, Tiffany (Jaye) Tope and Tanya Tope; her son, Derrick Tope; her granddaughter, Koressa Tope; her grandson, Donovan Klampe; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the family.
