Lois Topping, 91, of Coralville, died from a stroke on Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, in Lubbock, Texas, with daughter, Susan at her side.
Lois Laverne (Griffith) Topping was born Sept. 3, 1929, in Wellman, to Floyd and Gertrude Griffith. Lois attended Wellman schools graduating with the Class of 1947. She met and married William (“Bill”) Topping of Wellman on Aug. 20, 1950, at the Asbury Methodist Church in Wellman. Bill, a U.S. Army veteran, served from 1951-1953, in the Central Intelligence Corps at Fort Holabird, Md. They then relocated back to Iowa from 1953-1967. During those years Bill was teaching and coaching in several Iowa school districts. Bill then taught at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha Wis. Bill died on Dec. 25, 2003.
Lois received her library science degree from Carthage College, Kenosha, Wis., and worked in the college library for several years. She was involved with Wesley United Methodist Church (Kenosha), singing in the choir, and taking part in many more church activities. She was an avid bridge player and loved hosting guests. She was a member of the “Lois Club” (birthday cards), a group of women from all over the U.S. whose name was “Lois.”
Lois returned to Coralville/Iowa City in 2006 to be closer to her brother, Richard Griffith, and other family members. Back to Iowa, the state she always loved and where she felt “at home.”
She was active in aquatic exercise classes, walking club, researching family genealogy, scrapbooking, photo albums, and much more. Bill and Lois loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and had season tickets for more than 40 years. Driving to Iowa City from wherever they lived to spend the weekend, attending regular season games and several bowl games. Her nephew, Andrew Topping, accompanied her to many, many Hawkeye games, riding the Hawkeye Express Train. He was her “Buddy.”
Everyone who met Lois commented on how sweet and happy a lady she was.
“Everybody loves Lois” was a common refrain.
Lois is survived by her children: Jeffery Topping of Phoenix, Arix., Stuart Topping of Madison, Wis., and Susan Topping Crowder of Lubbock, Texas; grandchildren: Samuel and Joseph Topping, Samantha Villalba, Sharayah, Caleb, Emma and Joshua Crowder; great-grandchildren: Hunter, Kyleigh, and Madison Villalba; brother: Richard (Gilberta) Griffith; brother-in-law: Bob (Judith) Topping; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will be holding a celebration of life and burial at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please give a gift in Lois’s name to her favorite charity: The American Heart Association. For further information contact Jeffery Topping at 602-486-5862 or aztopping@gmail.com
