Mary Lou Tomashek passed away on Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at her home in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She was surrounded by family and friends who were telling stories about her amazing personality and accomplishments.

Mary Lou was born in Eau Claire on August 14, 1927 to Joseph Francis and Margarita Sophia Knudson Tomashek. She was born at home at 530 Cameron Street, in the 9th ward, with Dr. Roy Mitchell as the attending physician.

Mary attended St. Patrick's Catholic School from kindergarten through high school, graduating in 1945. Her business career started when she was 12 years old, working after school and on weekends at McElroy's Grocery store.

Mary's first office job with was Slocum Bergen Wholesale groceries, located where the LE Phillips library is now located. Her second office job was at Jamieson & Company, a brokerage firm where Mary developed her business acumen. Her final business job was with the Wisconsin Telephone Company, where she worked for 22 years, retiring as a Business Service Counselor. She was a member and past president of the Vacation Land Telephone Pioneer Association.

Mary was the caregiver for her mother, Margarita, which she always said was her greatest honor. She was also auntie mom to her brother, Gene's children, Patrick, Mark, Genie, Joe and Mary Beth.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by all of her siblings and their spouses, Joseph Jr and Ethel, Willard and Myrtle, Robert and Patricia, Ruth and Mac, Gene and Gloria, Sarah and Ed and infant Dorothy. Nieces and nephews who preceded Mary in death were Annette Lamers, Dorothy Cevasco, Mary Beth Elliott, Stuart McKinley, Christy Lee Smith, Patrick Tomashek, Michael Tomashek, Steven Tomashek, Jeffrey Rood and Stephen Rood.

Mary is survived by nieces and nephews, Daniel Tomashek, Robert Tomashek, Vera Jean Keogh, Genie Joe Tomashek, Mark Tomashek, Leslie McKinley, Thomas Rood and Eddie Rood and many great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by family she chose, Ann and Bob Carroll and Mick and Sue Zirngible. Special thanks go out to Julia and Allen Perkins, Mike and Michelle Larson and Lieske Giese, the neighbors who loved and cared for Mary for many years.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:30am at St. Patrick Parish, 316 Fulton St in Eau Claire with Father Micael Klos officiating. A Rosary will be at 11am at the church. No visitation is planned. Inurnment will be at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Eau Claire.

Online condolences may be shared at www.lenmarkfh.com.