Memorial
Tammy Elen Terpstra, 56, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on March 17, 2018 at home surrounded by her loving family.
Tammy is survived by her devoted husband, Harry Raymond “Ray” Terpstra II, her children, Matthew Terpstra and Elizabeth Terpstra, her mother, Elenora Pfeifle, her sister, Kelly Eells (Craig), her brother, Kevin Pfeifle (Christa), mother-in-law Anita Terpstra, brother-in-law Bill Terpstra (Val), sisters-in-law Jean Terpstra (Charlie) and Joyce Terpstra Whitaker, her dog, Phoebe, and numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Tammy was greeted in heaven by her father-in-law, Harry R. Terpstra.
Tammy was born in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota on September 22, 1961. Her family moved to Cedar Rapids in 1966 where she lived for the rest of her life. She graduated from Kennedy High School in 1980 and received her B.A. from the University of Iowa in 1984 with a degree in Recreation and Education. She married Ray on July 13, 1985. Their son Matthew was born in 1987 and daughter Elizabeth in 1990.
Throughout her life, Tammy was involved in numerous volunteer organizations, Bible study groups, knitting clubs, and PEO, a philanthropic educational organization. She enjoyed spending time with her family and a large circle of friends, traveling, planning family reunions, cooking, wine tasting, knitting, yoga, and gardening. Her home was a welcoming space filled with laughter and love. Those who were blessed to know Tammy understood that she was a positive, upbeat, loving, and kind person who cherished her husband and children and was devoted to God. She was a cheerleader for everyone she knew and a seeker of silver linings right up to the final moments of her life.
Tammy’s greatest joy came from the three F’s: faith, family, and friends. She will be missed by too many people to count. Her love, kindness, and positive attitude changed many lives for the better.
Tammy’s beloved father, Elmer Pfeifle, died hours after Tammy and accompanied her to Heaven. A joint visitation will be held Wednesday, March 21 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home, 4200 First Avenue NE in Cedar Rapids. A joint celebration of their lives will be held on Thursday, March 22 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1000 3rd Ave SE in Cedar Rapids with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Luncheon to follow at First Lutheran Church.
Tammy’s family would like to extend a special thank-you to the entire staff at Mercy Hall-Perrine Cancer Center for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Tammy may be made to Gems of Hope, Inc. and/or the Indian Creek Nature Center.