Marie A. (Herrmann) Tomashek

Marie A. (Herrmann) Tomashek, age 97 of Altoona formerly of Rock Falls passed away Sunday evening, January 18, 2015 at Oakwood Villa in Altoona.
She was born in Eau Claire, WI on August 10, 1917 to Richard J. and Antonia (Helt) Herrmann, Sr. She attended Sacred Heart Grade School and then graduated from Eau Claire Senior High School in 1935. She attended Eau Claire Business College following graduation and then worked at Ed Phillip’s & Sons Company of Eau Claire until her marriage to Lewis Tomashek Jr. at Sacred Heart Church in Eau Claire in 1939.
After her marriage, she moved to the Tomashek Farm and became a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rock Falls. She was a member of the St. Joseph’s Adult Choir, the Altar Society serving as group leader in 1956, Vice President and Reporter 1964-65, Publicity Chairmen in 1976, compiled the U.S. Bicentennial Church Directory in 1976. She was also a member of the Parish Council serving on the Communications Committee and was elected as the first woman President of the Parish Council in 1975. She served several positions in the Town of Brunswick Homemakers Club. She was active in the Rock Falls Senior Citizens Club serving several terms as President and other offices in the club. She was also a member of the Rock Falls Community Choir as well as an active member of the Lima Polka Choir for many years. Marie also contributed many hours of volunteer work and received the “Chairman’s Volunteer Service Award in a National Competition from F.W. Woolworth Co. where she worked as a bookkeeper for 20 1/2 years. She was recognized as Branch Fraternalist of the Year in 1988 from the Catholic Family Life Insurance Company, Lima Branch. During her marriage, she also worked for the U.S. Census Bureau in 1950 and in 1990, the Wisconsin State Job Service, and Big Brothers Big Sisters Kinship.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Cecelia Falkner (Ludwig), mother and father-in-law Mary and Lewis Tomashek, sisters-in-law Sister Clarice Tomashek O.S.B, Mary (Tomashek) Cermak, Gertrude (Tomashek) Richard Barrett, and niece Mary Falkner. After the death of her husband, she gave up farming and moved to Eau Claire and joined Sacred Heart -St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. She rejoined St. Joseph’s Church in Rock Falls in 2006.
She is survived by her daughter, Anita Tomashek of Altoona, WI, a brother Rev. Richard Herrmann of Marshfield, WI, two nephews, Victor Falkner of Forest Lake, MN and Bernard (Nancy) Falkner of Eau Claire, two great nephews, Scott Falkner of North Platte, NE and Jeff (Quinn) Falkner of Glennallen, Alaska and their children Sydnee and Daniel Falkner of Alaska, brother-in-law James (Joyce) Tomashek of Eau Claire, nieces Kathleen Barrett of Rio Rancho, New Mexico and Eileen (James) Mitchell of Carey, NC and two children she sponsored through the Christian Foundation for many years, Vanessa Arabello of Bolivia and Diana Lugo Castillo of Bogota, Columbia South America.
Funeral Services will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Rock Falls, WI, E9265 State Highway 85, Mondovi, WI 54755. Father Joseph C. Nakwah will officiate. Visitation will take place at the church from 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015 until the time of service.  Burial will take place immediately following the funeral service in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Rock Falls.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Marie’s name to Tears of Love Ministry or Lima Polka Choir.
Family and friends may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckienhulke.com.
Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.