Jessica Lou Timp

Friday, May 3, 2019 6:17 pm

Jessica Lou Timp, 15, of Fort Atkinson, died Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at 7:40 a.m. at Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City, surrounded by her family. She died from metastatic mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, a rare bone disease that she lived with for the past year. However, she did not lose any fight with this disease, as she will be in heaven and the cancer has to stay behind. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, with Rev. Robert Gross presiding. There was no visitation prior to the service, per Jessica’s request. Friends were invited for lunch following the service at the Inwood Ballroom, 116 Bridge Street in Spillville. Memories and hugs were shared in her honor to celebrate all she has given to us. Mass servers were Izzy Kuboushek Ellie Knutson and Elizabeth Bohr. Lectors were Lois Leifeld, Rachel Farley, Morgan Kriener and Marley Klimesh-Oblander. Organist was Jeanette Dietzenbach. Soloist was Dan Silhacek. St. Wenceslaus Choir sang “Gather Us In,” “Blest Be The Lord,” “Table of Plenty,” “Ava Maria,” “Goin Home” and “How Great Thou Art.” Eucharistic ministers were Kristi Wiltgen, Gabe Klimesh, Jennifer Busarow and Sherry Bouska. Offertory gift bearers were Jessica’s brother and sister, William and Ruby Timp. Honorary casket bearers: We honor all of Jessica’s friends from so many places for being there for her in good times and bad. May you live your lives in her honor, by being kind and with an open heart. Take care of each other. Casket bearers were Colin Farley, Dan Novak, Myrna and Chris Sasina, Chuck and Marie Riha. Cremation and a private burial will take place at a later date at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Spillville.

Jessica was born July 30, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center, New Hampton, to Bill and Michelle Timp. She was the best thing to come their way, as she was such a great kid they continued to grow their family. She was a protective and motherly big sister to Ruby and William, and helped keep things organized and moving along. She attended CFS Catholic School for Elementary and Middle School, where she was a member of the basketball and volleyball teams. It was here and at her home parish of St. Wenceslaus that she developed her Catholic faith foundation. She took that faith to South Winneshiek High School and soon became a proud member of the yearbook staff, choir, “Grease” the musical, South Winneshiek FFA, and attending events with her friends as a member of the Class of 2021. Turkey Valley Clovers 4-H Club also kept her busy as vice-president, photography and home improvement projects, and many service activities. Her goal was to live a normal life after diagnosis, staying private about her struggles and being with family and friends (and her phone) as much as possible. She balanced treatments and school like a champ. One motto she followed was “She’s proof that you can walk through hell and still be an angel.” No matter what she was going through, she tried her best to take the high road and approach it like an angel. She enjoyed going to Waterloo Black Hawk hockey games, rodeos, country music concerts, bowling, fishing with Grandpa, aggravation games with Grandma and Grandpa, card games and chats with Grandma Helen. She loved the country life, and being home was her peaceful escape. She loved the solitude, sunrises, and sunsets, and was eager to see the wide-open fields of heaven. Hanging out with her siblings, cats and dog Bella on the family farm by taking walks, jumping on the trampoline, or s’mores and bonfires are favorite memories. As a teenager, she loved friends and phones, and was looking forward to getting her driver’s license, first job and more freedom. Friends saw her as a trusted confidante with good advice and someone who was quiet but strong. Her future goal was to attend UNI or the U of Iowa and become a wedding/event planner.

She is survived by her parents, Michelle and Bill Timp; sister, Ruby and brother, William, all of Fort Atkinson; her grandparents, Helen Timp of Spillville and Tom and Janet Beckman of Monticello; aunts, uncles, cousins, many loving great-aunts and uncles; and many loyal friends.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Anthony who died in early infancy; an uncle, Jason Paul Beckman; grandfather, Alvin Anthony Timp; great-grandparents: William and Louise Timp and Jacob and Mary Schmitt, Mark and Luella Beckman, and Paul and Geraldine Williams; great-uncle, Bob Schmitt (“Unc”) – certainly among those who guided her across the fields of heaven to her eternal home.

The family wishes to thank the amazing and dedicated staff at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital for their exemplary and compassionate care. They truly walked every step of the journey with Jess and her family.