Tamara Ann Donney

Tamara Ann Donney lived a remarkable life filled with service, learning, adventure, faith, and a deep love for her family.

After graduating from Carson-Macedonia High School in 1972, Tamara proudly joined the United States Army, where she served for four years and later continued her service in the Army National Guard. During her time in the Army, she trained in the medical field and served as a medic and paramedic while stationed in San Francisco and Fort Riley, Kansas. Those experiences opened doors throughout her career and began a lifelong commitment to caring for and serving others.

Following her military service, Tamara attended Kearney State College, where she earned two Bachelor of Science degrees as well as a master's degree in Science Education. She taught middle and high school students at several schools in Nebraska and Iowa before joining Iowa Western Community College. There, she spent many years teaching Anatomy and Biology to nursing students, sharing her knowledge and making a lasting impact on her students before retiring.

Tamara had an adventurous spirit and a deep appreciation for the outdoors. She loved bicycling, hiking, fishing, and birdwatching, and especially enjoyed making trips to witness the migration of the Sandhill Cranes. Her love of nature extended naturally to animals, and her pets were always treasured members of her family.

Her commitment to serving others continued throughout her life. She volunteered with the Salvation Army and the Red Cross and gave many hours of her time helping others during the Southwest Iowa floods. She was devoted to her church and, when it came time for football, proudly cheered on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Above all, Tamara loved her family. She especially treasured the time she spent with her nieces and nephews and took great joy in being part of their lives.

Tamara will be remembered for her strength, compassion, independence, adventurous spirit, and lifelong love of learning. Through her military service, her years as an educator, her volunteer work, and the love she shared with family and friends, she touched many lives. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Tamara was preceded in death by her parents, Everett Donney and Virgene Donney, and her brothers-in-law, Larry Brokman and Marvin Thayer.

She is survived by her siblings, Terry (Donney) Brokman, Tim (Jackie) Donney, Tanya "Boo" (Donney) Thayer, Tom (Patti) Donney, Thad (Teresa) Donney, and Lynette (Byron) Maynes; as well as several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and many other family members and friends who loved her.