Tamara June "Tami" Hess, 34, of Cottage Grove, formerly of Kewaskum, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010, following a valiant battle against ovarian cancer.
 
She was born on Jan. 4, 1976, in Germany, the daughter of Erwin and Gloria (nee Beery) Kamrath. Tami graduated from Kewaskum High School, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a bachelor’s degree in education and completed her master’s degree from UWLaCrosse.

She married Thomas Hess on Oct. 6, 2001. Tami worked at Jefferson West Elementary School for the past 10 years. She enjoyed traveling. Some of her favorite trips were to Hawaii and Boston. Tami loved to attend and watch Milwaukee Brewers games. She also spent many years cheering for the Badgers basketball and hockey teams. She enjoyed going out for dinner and a movie, shopping with her girlfriends, her bowling league and was a fan of music. Tami was always surrounded by family, friends and her students. Her personality radiated around those she loved. Tami’s zest for life was especially strong around the holidays. She loved her dog, Sophie, and her three cats.

Tami is survived by her husband, Tom; parents, Erwin "Skip" and Gloria Kamrath of West Bend; sister, Tina (Daric) Smith and their children, Lincoln and Bianca; parents-in-law, Keith and Mary Hess; and brotherin-law, Timothy (Kelly) Hess and their children, Ethan and Kiara.

A memorial service will be held at Gunderson East Funeral Home, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 3 p.m. until the time of the service.

Memorials may be made to the Tami Hess Scholarship Fund, c/o Summit Credit Union, 6420 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, WI 53718, or a Humane Society of the donor’s choice.