John Tomasek

MEIRE GROVE — Mass of Christian Burial for John Thomas Tomasek will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with visitation starting at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Melrose.

John passed away Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.

John Thomas Tomasek was born Jan. 9, 1938, in Marshall to John and Pauline (Andrzejewski) Tomasek. He was united in marriage to Patricia Lens on Nov. 12, 1960, at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent. John dedicated his life to his family and community. He had an honorable career in law enforcement serving as a police officer, county sheriff, and chief of police.

John blessed the world with generosity, compassion, and humor. He was a talented fisherman and huntsman. He enjoyed spending quality time with family at the lake, playing cards, and singing. John was passionate about helping people grow in faith as an active participant in Marriage Encounter, Engaged Encounter, and Together Encountering Christ, as well as active involvement in his local parish, St. Mary’s in Melrose. John loved being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

His spirit will continue to shine through the people he loved most.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Tomasek, Melrose; children: Pamela (Doug) DeGeest, Albany, Paul (Mary) Tomasek, St. Joseph, Lynn (William) Washetas, Camp Douglas, Wis., Steven (Jennifer) Tomasek, Boca Raton, Fla., and David Tomasek (Lindsey Kohls), St. Cloud; grandchildren: Nathan (Sasha) Tomasek, Stephanie (Nathan) Stang, Rebecca DeGeest, Jessica (Lance) Hartung, Brendan Washetas, Samuel DeGeest, Jenna Washetas, Abigail Washetas, Elizabeth DeGeest, Matthew DeGeest, Evan Washetas, Tanner Tomasek and Gretel Tomasek; great-grandchildren: Brady and Stella Stang, Declan and Adalyn Tomasek, and Chloe Hartung.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Pauline Tomasek, and siblings Adeline Gee, Donald Tomasek, Elizabeth (Betty) Tomasek, and Dennis Tomasek.