Mary Ellen Trop

Mary Ellen Dell was born to Evelyn and Warner Dell on August 28, 1934 in Alvord, Iowa. She was raised on a small farm and enjoyed working with her parents raising livestock, and helping with the harvests. She was very bright and social at Lester High School, including playing on their basketball team.

Mary quickly grew up in her midwest farm environment and gave birth to her son, Mike, just across the state line in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1950. She finished her schooling and set out to make her mark in the world. First with jobs in Alvord, and then on to Hobbs, New Mexico, where she lived for several years, bringing her family out later. She worked as a medical assistant, developed many life long friends, and developed a great love for country music and horses.

Mary was bright and ambitious. She longed to see more of the world, and decided to move again to the excitement of California. She moved first to get established, working as an assistant in a medical office again, as well as doing some office work. Evelyn and Warner followed with Mike a few years later. When getting lunch one day, she met Dan Trop who asked her to apply for a job doing office and accounting work at his new company, Tropical Ice Cream. What started as work led to romance and she eventually married Dan. Together they built Tropical Ice Cream into a very successful business involving many members of the family over the years.

Along the way, Mary and Dan’s families grew. Mike married Carol and had two girls - Claire and Katie. Mark Trop married Candi and had two children, Jeffrey and Diana. Diana had 2 children, Ryan and Ellia.

Throughout her over 50 years in California, Mary was fortunate to develop many lifelong friendships that meant so much to her. Lois, Maria M, Maria R, Kym, Debbie, and Veronica are several of the many friends that she cherished more than any material things and were close by her over the last few months.

Dan passed away January 4, 2018 at age 100.

Mary went to be with our Lord on August 19, 2018. She passed peacefully at her home with many memories of Dan, her Mom and Dad, her children and step-children, her many dear friends, and her precious chihuahas. Throughout her last few weeks she often listened to her favorite country and western music.

Flowers or donations to the SPCA in Mary's name are greatly appreciated.

She will hold her family and friends in her heart forever.