Tami Gripka

(From Lakin Funeral Home)

Tami Sue (Boman) Gripka was born Nov. 1, 1958, in Wichita, KS to Dan and Carolyn (Palmer) Boman. Tami was the second of 6 children born to Dan and Carolyn.

In 1975, Tami married Douglas Gripka. Together they would create a family that continues to carry their spirit of love and unity. Four children grew in her tummy and three grew in her heart. Four children she created, three children she chose. 

Brandi was born in 1975, married Scott Burt in 1994 and gave her four grandsons that stood by her until her final moments. She loved Jordan, Evan, Ian (Reba), and Jackson more than she could often put into words. Jami was born in 1977 and married Bryant Lawrimore in 2002. Jami and Bryant brought Seth, Jeremiah, and Jacob into her life. She was so proud of their accomplishments and their love for their mom. Seth blessed Tami with her only great-grandchildren. Presley, Rowan, and Bently were undoubtedly one of the things she was most proud of. She often talked about “Ms. P or Piddle Pot." She took every opportunity to take 5 generation pictures with them. 

Tim-Bob was born in 1979 and married Molly-Bob in 2009. Tim and Molly’s world travels gave Tami reasons to visit places she probably never would have imagined. Tim and Molly gave Tami Lula and Willa. These two girls held a special place in Granny’s heart that was evident each time they Skyped or the girls came to visit. Isaac was born in 1981 and he gave Granny her first grand daughter. Marley was adored and doted on. Nolan had a special connection with Granny when it came to his love for investments. They always had important business to discuss. 

While Zac, Philip and Uriah had long been a part of the family, it became official in 1999. Zac gave our family Rodi in 2014. This blue-eyed squirrely boy gave Granny a run for her money but she could always count on him for big hugs and sweet smiles. Uriah married Eugenia in 2022 and together they added Liam and Wyett. Philip married Amy in 2022 and Xavier became another one of Granny’s boys. 

Tami was so proud of her children. She laughed with them. She celebrated new homes, new jobs, and new adventures with each of them. She sat with them during times of sadness and during times of uncertainty. Tami attended graduations and weddings with her children but her most deeply treasured moments were being present at the births of her grandkids. Tami’s grandchildren were truly the light of her life. She would often say she wasn’t sure what kind of parent she was until she saw how well her grandkids turned out. She loved the sound of the door opening and the laughs/giggles of the kids echoing through her home. Tami beamed when her grands would sit and sing “Grey Kitty” or take a bath in her oversized tub. She was tender and affectionate when she held each of them as infants.

Tami traveled extensively, setting foot on 5 continents. She saw beautiful beaches and majestic mountains, but she always returned to her “home," Pierce City, Missouri. After years of living in Appleton City, Missouri and Warsaw, Missouri, she was happy to have her dad help build her dream home just a few miles from her siblings. She enjoyed family parties at her brother Danny’s (Frances) home, sharing dances to Brown Eyed Girl with her sisters, Teresa Knott (Tommy), Jill Kaiser (Mike), Jennifer Brown, and her brother, Joe (Pam). She looked forward to any reason to celebrate with her family. It truly brought her joy to see the people she loved the most in the same room. Through periods of grief, the loss of her nephew, Erik Boman, the loss of her father, Dan Boman, and the passing of her brother-in-law, Tommy Knott, Tami and her family gathered, comforted by the presence of the “Boman Clan."

Tami loved sharing “creek time” with her family. Campouts and BBQ’s by the creek, laying in the sun with her sisters and daughters filled her with joy. Watching her nieces and nephews splash nearby, catching minnows and building dams was the culmination of everything she had worked for.

Tami valued education. She attended college while raising children and working as a fry cook in Warsaw, Missouri. She sacrificed so many things to pursue a career in education. She balanced family and work to complete a Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree, and her LPC certification. She pushed others to find their paths by attending college. When it came to furthering education and career choices, Tami encouraged each of her kids and grandkids to pursue their dreams by saying, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”.

Tami chose a career that blessed her as well as hundreds of others. Her teaching career spanned a period of over 3 decades. She taught 2nd grade and elementary gifted and talented in Cole Camp, Missouri. She briefly taught high school in the Skyline Missouri School District. Tami worked as a guidance counselor and alternative school director for Seneca Public Schools. She finished her career and retired as an elementary school guidance counselor for Pierce City Schools.

Even after her retirement, Tami continued to give back to her community through the Food for Thought Backpack Program. She partnered with other community organizations to provide nutritious meals to students over weekend breaks from school. She and Doug also worked with Benton and Newton Counties in Missouri to provide foster homes for nearly 100 children. They created meaningful relationships with many children who have remained in touch over the years.

While Tami had relationships with her family and her community, the love of her life and best friend was Doug. They married young and spent nearly 50 years doing life together. They held hands, laughed, cried and weathered every storm. Together Doug and Tami faced struggles but vowed to stay until they laid the other in the arms of their waiting savior. Their love for each other was deep, unconditional and evident in the lives of their children and grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Pierce City, MO from 12:00 PM until service time at 2:00 PM. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM with Pastor Greg Hagebusch officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Food for Thought Backpack Program. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City, MO.