Joanne “Jan” R. Tupper was born July 10, 1935 in Waterloo, Iowa to parents Ray and Gladys (Fannon) Gigl. At age 15 she married Robert Brandenburg and to this union four children were born. Jan and Robert later divorced and on February 6, 1970 She married Orvis w. Tupper in Hamilton Missouri. Orvis brought two sons into the marriage and in 1973 they welcomed one last child. Orvis passed away in December of 2005. Throughout Jan’s’ life she had many odd jobs. Among these jobs was owning an operating the Melon Stand with Orvis on their farm outside of Readlyn, Iowa. Jan later found her calling selling Avon. It is because of this experience that every member of Jan’s family still has a bottle of Skin So Soft and little Snoopy soaps in their bathroom cupboards. Jan enjoyed to crochet, make afghans and pot holders, and embroider towels to share with family and friends. She loved her life and friends, but especially loved her family and cherished all the time she spent with them. Jan will be greatly missed but her memory will never fade.
Jan is survived by her children, Robert (Marion) Brandenburg of Manhattan, Kansas, Vickie (Greg) Jarchow of Oelwein, Jolene Brandenburg (Tom) of Elgin, Warner (Chris) Brandenburg of Clarksville, Tennessee, Ryan Tupper of Oelwein, and step son John (Dee) Tupper of Oelwein; Eleven grandchildren, Aaron (Sandy) Brandenburg of Salina, Kansas, Brooke (Rod) Studebaker of Oelwein, Bethany (Hank) Loyd of West Union, Miki Clark of Fayette, Brandon (Sara) Clark of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Cameron-Courtney-Amber and Autumn Brandenburg of Clarksville, Tennessee, Grace and Mathew Tupper of Edgewood, Mindy and Megan Tupper of Oelwein; and twelve great grandchildren. Jan is also survived by two special friends Barb Kohlmeyer of Oelwein and daughter Michelle (Eric) Sherpy of Overland Park, Kansas. She is preceded in death by her husband, Orvis, a sister, Helen King, and step son Dennis Tupper.
Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at Geilenfeld Funeral Chapel. Friends may call Monday, April 12, 2010 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Geilenfeld Funeral Home and one hour before services on Tuesday.
