Anne Marie Topp lived a life rich in creativity, friends and experiences. She died on January 14, 2024, at JA Wedum Residential Hospice in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, soon after receiving a diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Anne Marie Topp was born on April 10, 1950, in Eldora, Iowa, to Raynold Richard Topp and Karene Margil (Bunker) Topp. She grew up on the family farm in Hardin County. As part of a self-sufficient family that had many interests, she learned to grow, cook and preserve produce. She liked trying new recipes. She sewed clothes for herself and her family, sometimes building fabric from scraps because she liked putting the colors together.

At Radcliffe High School she served as yearbook editor and performed in plays. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1972 with a degree in Language Arts, Secondary Education. Anne taught English/Language Arts at Le Sueur High School in Le Sueur, Minn., for 14 years and then at Wayzata West Junior High in Wayzata, Minn., from 1986 until she retired in 2007. While at Wayzata she earned an MA in Education from Hamline University.

At West Junior High, Anne taught English/Communications in an inclusive classroom and coached students to become award winners in speech and writing contests. She also taught 8th and 9th grade high potential communications as part of an interdisciplinary team that guided students to write, produce and perform original plays. She wrote a proposal that led to a National School of Excellence Award for West, and wrote curriculum for the high potential English/Social Studies program that later was adopted as a district-wide model. For Anne, it wasn't just about teaching the lesson or subject matter, it was about reaching and teaching the whole student.

Anne loved to meet people and experience food, places, and cultures. After retiring from teaching she took paid and volunteer jobs: Let’s Dish; charity resale shops; food distribution; Minnesota Arboretum. A gig as a quality service assistant (QSA) at Northwest and Delta Air Lines lasted 13 years. Working on a team at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport gave her opportunities to help travelers and to journey with friends throughout Europe, Vietnam, Mongolia, Oman, South Korea, Thailand, Latin America and elsewhere. She also loved spending time with friends at cabins in the summers.

In addition to professional work, Anne was a lifelong crafter. She started selling glass paintings at the Minnesota Renaissance Faire in the 1980s. She transitioned to sewing and other handwork to sell at craft shows. Many people have an Anne-made bowl cozy, scarf, felt purse, baby bib, crocheted washcloth, or beadwork jewelry. Her home became a center for crafting, book club meals and movie nights. Whenever a friend needed a place to stay, Anne’s informal bed & breakfast was open.

Anne is survived by her siblings: Jon and Barbara Topp, St. Louis, Mo., Sue Topp and Michael Sugrue, Naperville, Ill., Jay and Terre Topp, Colorado Springs, Colo.; nephew Andrew Topp and Spring Davis, Bradenton, Fla.; niece Katharine Topp and Branden Stein, Wildwood, Mo.; aunt LaVonne Topp, cousins Bill, Jean and Sarah Topp, and many dear friends and colleagues.

Instead of traditional services the family is planning a celebration of life. Gifts to honor Anne’s memory may be made to Second Harvest Heartland, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation or Practical Farmers of Iowa.

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