Nancy Lou Tamse

Nancy Lou Tamse, 86 of Windsor Heights, IA passed away on Wednesday July 8th 2026. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am followed by a funeral service beginning at 11:00 am, Wednesday July 15, 2026 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory in Urbandale, IA. Inurnment will take place at Glendale Cemetery following the service. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.

Nancy was born February 7, 1940 in Grinnell, IA to Theodore and Nadine Spading. She graduated from North English High School before attending Methodist Nursing School, where she earned her Registered Nurse degree.

Nancy worked as a registered nurse at Methodist Hospital and at Dr.’s Kelley Ghrist and Ghrist. After retiring from nursing she took what she affectionately called her fun job at Younkers.

On September 7, 1963, Nancy married Frank Tamse at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Des Moines. They shared 59 wonderful years together.

Nancy found joy in traveling with Frank to Arizona and Mexico every year. And most of all a summer vacation with all their kids and grandkids in Okoboji. Nancy was an avid sports fan for men's and women’s teams in the state of Iowa. And a recent Husker men's basketball team fan. And both her and Frank were loyal Cubs fans! Above all else the family was the center of her life. She was an enthusiastic supporter of her children and grandchildren’s activities.

Creating memories with those she loved was what mattered most to Nancy. She especially looked forward to the annual family reunion. A cherished tradition that continues to bring generations together. Sitting around the family table at their home of 54 years celebrating birthdays and holidays were not only a treasure to her but to all of her children and grandchildren. And most of the time followed by a game of cribbage.

She was preceded in her death by her husband, parents and dearly loved siblings, Helen, Maxine, Robert and Mary Kay and Betty Jean. Her memory will be forever cherished by her children, Anne Parker of West Des Moines, Joe(Brenda) Tamse of West Des Moines and Katie(Andy) Dickmeyer of Omaha: seven grandchildren, Delaney(Cody) Parker of Littleton, CO, Jack Parker of Denver, CO, Josh Tamse(Makenzie) of Urbandale, Valerie Ball(Collin) of Beaufort, SC, Joseph of Kansas City, Thomas and Charles of Omaha, and great grandchild Penelope Ball. Her relationship with her nieces and nephews meant the world to her.