Janice Kay Toopes

Janice Kay Toopes, age 69, of Albia, Iowa, formerly of Centerville, passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, under the care of EveryStep Hospice at Oakwood Specialty Care Center in Albia. Janice was born on December 17, 1953, to Jack and Norma (Spradling) Petersen in Wagner, South Dakota. She grew up and graduated from Maplewood Academy High School in Minnesota before attending Iowa Western Community College where she received her LPN. In 1980, Janice was united in marriage to Robert Toopes at the First Baptist Church in Albia. Janice and Bob later divorced. Janice had a huge heart, was very generous and compassionate, who devoted her life to taking care of others in her long career in the nursing field. She worked as an LPN in different long term care facilities in the area before going to work for the VA Hospital in Knoxville, Marshalltown, Iowa City, and Ottumwa. Janice was always very proud to help take care of veterans. She also volunteered to help those in need, even traveling to Mexico to assist those with cleft palate. Janice enjoyed watching Lifetime movies, drinking coffee and loved a good margarita. Above all else, Janice loved her family and her dog, Ruby. Janice is survived by her 3 children, Travis Nagel, Trina Clark, and Amanda Toopes; 6 grandchildren, Samantha (Jacob) Fuller, Ryne Fuller, Owen (Skylar) Fuller, Michael Fuller, Jacob Nagel and Jaxson Nagel; and 6 siblings, Meridel (Wendell) Folkerts, Michael (Annette) Petersen, Karen Morman, Terry Petersen, Jack (Lori) Petersen, and Reed Petersen; and her good friends, Margie Riemersma, Sherry Kass, Monica Ridout, Becky Gustafson, and John (Gail) Barnes. Janice is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Norma Petersen; a sister, Leann Petersen; and a nephew, Michael Petersen. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023, at Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Janice’s family present throughout to greet family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Terry Chapman officiating. A private family burial will be held at the Hiteman Cemetery at a later date. A memorial has been established to the Welcome Home Soldier Monument in Albia.

Janice Kay Toopes

December 17, 1953 - December 5, 2023