Pamela Sue Harper

Pamela Sue Harper, 77, of Hampton, Iowa died peacefully, surrounded by her family, Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton. She was born August 2, 1944 in Clarion, Iowa to parents Walter and Betty Jane (Hiatt) Cramer. Pam graduated from Hampton High School in Hampton, Iowa in 1962, and shortly after graduation, she was united in marriage to Charles Dean Harper of Hansell, Iowa on September 15, 1962 in Hampton, Iowa. Pam was an avid learner and soon obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After teaching for a few years, she went back to school and obtained her Master's degree in Elementary Administration from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Pam was a bit of a renaissance woman and worked in many different fields during her life and career. In addition to being a teacher and principal at the elementary level, she also owned and managed restaurants, worked as a sales representative for Kraft Food Service, sold insurance at Farm Bureau and worked as a data specialist for a destination marketing agency in Florida. Pam was a kind and generous soul and took gr...[more]

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pleasure in doing for others. She spent many years caring for her husband, Chuck, after he suffered a series of strokes. She loved to cook and was renowned for her incredible dessert creations, which she took great joy in making for family, friends and work colleagues alike. She also enjoyed knitting and spent many hours making blankets, throws and baby booties for friends and family. Pam enjoyed gardening and was a member of a group that met and exchanged succulents. She also loved to talk politics and joined a class held at Rollins College in Orlando where they discussed the current political environment and state of the world. Her biggest love, besides her family, was Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs, and she could frequently be found watching basketball on TV with her companion, Sam. Pam was a wonderful, caring and supportive mother and raised two children who went on to be very successful in their lives and careers. She was not only mother to them, but best friend. There wasn't anything her children couldn't talk to her about. Pam is survived by her companion, Sam Bowery of Hampton, Iowa, her son, Michael of Hampton, Iowa, her daughter, Susan of Palm Harbor, Florida and her brother Scott Thompson of Bradenton, Florida. She also leaves behind four beautiful grandchildren, Brandis Baldwin of Ankeny, Iowa, Tasha (Nick) Janssen of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Josh (Molly) Harper of Hastings, Minnesota and Jordan Harper of Hastings, Minnesota. She is also survived by four great grandchildren, Kobe and Roman (Brandis), Spencer (Tasha) and Dax (Josh). Pam was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Betty Jane, her adopted father, John Thompson, and her husband, Charles Harper. Pam's independent and sassy spirit will be missed by the many lives she touched while here on earth. The world is a little less bright and beautiful place without her here. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, December 10, 2021, at Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton, followed by a visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to MercyOne North Iowa Hospice in memory of Pam.