Tamela Jean Morstadt

Tamela Jean Morstadt (TJ Mattingly)

Appleton, WI – TJ, 53, passed away peacefully on Saturday April 11th 2020 in Appleton, WI. After 21 years of ongoing medical issues, she passed with her mother and daughter by her side, holding her hand and listening to her favorite Pearl Jam album. She was born on October 29th 1966 in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Ronald and Pamela (Gilliam) Mattingly. TJ spent her childhood in Missouri and loved to spend time at the family farm and swim in the creek. She moved to Wisconsin when she was 12 years old. TJ was known to be the life of the party. She loved listening to classic rock and her favorite St. Louis radio station KSHE 95 as loud as it could be while she sang along. TJ was an avid fan of NASCAR and the Green Bay Packers. She worked many years as a manger of a gas station, where she met her life partner Gene Flegal. She loved to sit in the sun, be in nature with the smell of flowers, and listen to her music. She also really enjoyed a good thunderstorm. She was over the moon excited when she became a Grandma in 2010 and was equally excited about another granddaughter on the way.

TJ is survived by daughter: Natalie (Heather) Starr; son: Sean (Gabby) Steffens; grandchildren: Libby Starr and baby Isla Steffens on the way; step-grandchild: Nolan Vetter; brothers: Mark (Judy) Mattingly of Appleton; Ron (Krista) Mattingly of Kaukauna; step-father: Mike Remter; step-sister: Jennifer (Jason) Mocine of Shiocton, WI; step brother: Eric Remter- Black Creek WI.; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews in Wisconsin, Iowa, Virginia, California and Missouri.

TJ was preceded in death by life partner: Gene Flegal; father: Ronald Joseph Mattingly; maternal grandparents: John and Bonnie Gilliam; paternal grandparents: Joseph (PI) and Marie Mattingly.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff at Heritage in Appleton for providing such wonderful care and compassion during this time. Angela Peeters had been taking care of her for 12 years as an in-home care nurse. She has become one of the family, had an amazing heart and provided amazing care. She was the one nurse TJ knew she was in the best hands and trusted her with her life. Dr. John Swason who took the time to listen and find any solution possible to help her with her pain. Dr. Norma Turk, at Appleton Theda Care, for her years of continuous hospital care and support. Dr. Roderick Hubert of Primary Care Associates, and all of the Theda Care At Home team…. from the pharmacy, visiting nurses, hospice team and delivery services. Dr. Eric Smiltneek of Advocate Aurora Health, for accepting her as her pain management specialist after Dr. Swanson had retired. Brian Runkle of Community Care for support, guidance and medical advocacy. Over the years, TJ always stated she had the best care team possible.

For all the support and love she has received these past many years from family, friends and health care specialists can not be understated, WE THANK YOU!

Celebration of her life will be planned sometime later this summer…. “PEACE OUT”