Joseph "Jerry"

J. Tomjack

Ewing — Joseph "Jerry" Jerome Tomjack, 95, of Ewing, died Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 at Lakeside Hospital in Omaha surrounded by his family.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Ewing with a 7 p.m. wake service.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23, 2024 at the church in Ewing. Fr. John Norman will officiate.

Burial will be in the St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery in Ewing with military rites provided by Sanders American Legion Post 214.

Memorials may be made to the Ewing Volunteer Fire Department or St. Peter's Catholic Church in Jerry's name.

Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater is in charge of the arrangements.

Joseph was born July 25, 1928, in Eugene, OR. At age four he and his mother Frances came to Nebraska to make their home with her parents Mike and Sophie Tomjack. He attended grade school in Ewing through fourth grade and Emmet through eighth 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 and basketball all through high school. He worked at Harding Creamery during high school and one year in Omaha. It was fascinating to hear him talk about the huge vats of butter they made and packaged and the electric bike he bought to ride back to Ewing.

In 1949 he enlisted in the U.S. Army – 14th Regimental Combat Team stationed at Ft. Carson, CO. They specialized in mountain and winter training, which involved some mountain fire fighting. 

He was honorably discharged in 1950 to come home to run Shaw Oil for seven 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 four 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 and operated a drive-in restaurant for seven years.

In 1988, after 35 years in Ewing, Jerry and Jeanette moved to Scottsdale, AZ where they were employed by Don and Jill Switzenberg. They were only there two 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 and 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, Nebraska 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; two sons Dr. Jeff (Kim) Tomjack of Lincoln and Mike (Chris) Tomjack of Bennington; 10 grandchildren Cali (Cody) Guffey, Gage (Jaclynn) Rethwisch, Luke (Savannah) Rethwisch, Ben and Josh Tomjack, Marisa (Josh) Pace, Jadyn, Reece, Brett and Eric Tomjack; four great-grandchildren Knox, Easton and Miles Rethwisch and Josiah Pace and new baby Pace and Rethwisch due in December; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

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

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.snidermemo rial.com.