Tamarah Diane Proenneke, 59, of Ottumwa, died at 9:30 p.m. June 13, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family.
She was born September 19, 1964 in St. Joseph, MO to Pastor Barry B. and Connie Covill Stewart. She married Jon Charles Proenneke June 9, 1984 at Albia Road Baptist Church.
A 1982 graduate of Ottumwa High School, she attended Indian Hills Community College. Tammy worked for the AEA during high school and then spent her entire career with Ottumwa Community Schools as secretary at Horace Mann Elementary, Liberty Elementary and currently at the board office.
Tammy was a member of Albia Road Baptist Church where she was a youth leader and worship leader. She had been a youth camp leader, co-director and youth consultant for youth camps including University of Joy and Impact. As those were the principals she chose to live her life by, Tammy and her husband fostered 16 children over the years, including 2 of whom they adopted.
Surviving is her husband of 40 years, Jon; a son, Jonathan Robert Proenneke; her mother, Connie Stewart Welker of Ottumwa; many she considered grandchildren including, Siaya, Archer, Brendan, Tiffany and Kyla; her sister, Alicia (Neal) Abbott of Ottumwa; her brother, Terry (Joni) Stewart of Abingdon, IL; sister-in-law, Jina Schneider of Idaho; brother-in-law, Joel (Jeanette) Proenneke of Mt. Pleasant; nieces and nephews, Jeffrey (Hannah) Abbott, Jennifer Abbott, Mallory (Ryan) Nyman, Bradley (Lora) Stewart, Sara Schneider and Tyler (Hailey) Schneider; and 5 great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father; a son, Joseph Proenneke; and her step-father, Cliff Welker.
Visitation will be open at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 18th at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 19th at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Chet Coolbaugh officiating. Cremation will take place after the service. Inurnment will be in Ottumwa Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Albia Road Baptist Church.
