Paula Tripp

Paula Kay Tripp passed away at her home in Ames on Nov. 11, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was 81 years old.

Paula was born on May 20, 1944, in Fort Madison, to Frank and Irma Patterson of Wever. She graduated from Fort Madison High School in 1962 and the Burlington Hospital School of Nursing in 1965. For over 40 years she was a practicing Registered Nurse, bringing care and comfort to hundreds of patients across Iowa.

She married Robert Tripp on Feb. 25, 1987, living with him on a farm outside of Ames, where she spent her time doting on her grandchildren, listening to Neil Diamond, and rooting for the Iowa State Cyclones in all their games, especially when they played the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Paula is survived by her husband, Robert, of Ames, and her son Michael (Dawn) Walstrom of Slater; grandchildren, Zane and Delaney Walstrom of Ames; sister, Susan Nickel of Van Nuys, California, brother, Scott Nickel of Wever; sister-in-law, Deb (Marc) Roberg of Afton; brother-in-law, Marvin Tripp of Ames; niece, Cassandra Nickel of Fort Madison; niece Denise Roberg of Afton; nephew, Michael J Tripp of Arkansas.

She was preceded in death by her father, Frank Patterson, mother Irma Nickel, stepfather Earl Nickel, mother-in-law Joan Tripp, and father-in-law Henry Tripp.

Paula will forever be fondly remembered for her fierceness, sense of humor, and the love she had for her family and friends.

Visitation will be 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Napier Community Church in Napier, with a memorial service following at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Boone Area Humane Society. BAHS.us