Jerry Tomjack

Funeral Service for Jerry Tomjack age 95 of Ewing, NE will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 23, 2024 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Ewing, Nebraska with Father John Norman, Officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 22, 2024 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Ewing with a 7:00 p.m. Wake Service. Burial will be in St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery with Military Rites by Sanders American Legion Post 214. Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater is handling the arrangements. Jerry passed away August 15, 2024 Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska surrounded by family. Condolences may be directed to her family at www.snidermemorial.com

In Lieu of flowers memorial to Ewing Volunteer Fire Department and St. Peter’s Catholic Church. 

 Joseph (Jerry) Jerome Tomjack was born July 25, 1928, in Eugene, Oregon. At age four he and his mother Frances came to Nebraska to make their home with her parents, Mike & Sophie Tomjack. He attended grade school in Ewing through 4th grade and Emmet thru 8th grade. He returned to Ewing his freshman year and finished high school at St. Mary’s Academy in O’Neill, graduating in 1947. He played football & basketball all through HS. He worked at Harding Creamery during high school & 1 year in Omaha. It was fascinating to hear him talk about the huge vats of butter they made & packaged and the electric bike he bought to ride back to Ewing

 In 1949 he enlisted in the US Army – 14th Regimental Combat Team stationed at Ft. Carson, Colorado. They specialized in mountain & winter training, which involved some mountain fire fighting. He was honorably discharged in 1950 to come home to run Shaw Oil for 7 years when his step-father (Clarence Shaw) died. He then owned and operated a gas transport business, leasing to Ruan, traveling many miles on Hwy 20 delivering to small stations from Sioux City to Cody. 

 On June 16, 1953 he married Jeanette Taylor after meeting at the Neligh roller rink. They had 4 children – Kathi, Steve, Jeff and Mike. They were married 68 years. Jerry served 25 years on the Ewing Village Board, 12 years as mayor, and also served on the Holt County Board of Supervisors and was a member of St. Peter’s Church Parish Council. They also built & operated a drive-in restaurant for 7 years.

 In 1988, after 35 years in Ewing, Jerry & Jeanette moved to Scottsdale, Arizona where they were employed by Don and Jill Switzenberg. They were only there 2 years but remained life- long friends. In 1990 they returned to Nebraska to be closer to family as grandchildren entered the world. They were employed at the Kensington in Norfolk until Jerry started working as maintenance supervisor at Beverly Healthcare in Norfolk and was there 10 years. He also was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. They enjoyed camping trips with the Valley Vagabond’s & Sam’s camping clubs and moved back to Ewing to spend their retirement years with dear friends.

 He enjoyed many things. Foremost was family. They traveled many miles supporting grandkids in all their activities. He also enjoyed painting, woodworking, golf, gardening, camping, traveling, NE football games, coffee with his buddies and playing cards. He was a faithful participant reciting the rosary.

 Jerry is survived by his daughter Kathi (Rich) Rethwisch of Wayne. Son Dr. Jeff (Kim) Tomjack of Lincoln. Son Mike (Chris) Tomjack of Bennington. Grandchildren Cali ( Cody) Guffey, Gage (Jaclynn) Rethwisch, Luke (Savannah) Rethwisch, Ben and Josh Tomjack, Marisa (Josh) Pace, Jadyn, Reece, Brett and Eric Tomjack. Great grandchildren Knox, Easton and Miles Rethwisch, Josiah Pace and new baby Pace and Rethwisch due in December. Many nieces, nephews and friends.

 He was preceded in death by wife Jeanette, 9 yr old son Stephen, parents and grandparents, half-brother Grover Shaw, stepbrother Robert Knapp and his wife Lois & daughter Pam, brother & sister-in law Merv & Phyllis Murray, and Dave Murray.