Mary Jo Bomberg

She was born on March 12, 1932, in Florence, to the late William and Gertrude (Kenney) Witynski.

She was a lifelong resident of Florence, and graduated from Florence High School, class of 1950.

She married Angelo Bettini in 1953 and the couple moved to Green Bay. Angelo died unexpectedly of a brain aneurysm in January of 1958 leaving Mary Jo with two young children (Mark and Ann).

She returned to Florence and in April 1959, she married Paul Bomberg who adopted Mark and Ann. The couple had five more children (Barbara, Tim, Jack, Mary and Paul) to bring the family total to seven.

In addition to raising the seven children, Mary Jo also helped run the family business, Tippy’s Bar and Bowl. After selling the business, she went to work at the Florence County Health Department, from which she retired at the age of 72. In her early life she also worked as a telephone operator for AT&T and as a cosmetologist.

Always one to keep herself busy, after raising her family and retirement, she volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul and served as the secretary at St. Mary Catholic Church in Florence. Mary Jo was instrumental in establishing and maintaining the prayer list for the parish.

Mary Jo loved horses. She frequently reminisced about the horses she had growing up, particularly her horse Bell, who, she bragged, would not allow any man to ride her, and those she had while raising her family. She loved watching horse racing on TV and looked forward to the Triple Crown races every year.

She also enjoyed family outings at the cottage on Lake Emily and going hunting at the family deer camp. She was an active member of St. Mary’s. Mary Jo had a beautiful voice and a love for singing. As such, she was an active member of the church choir. She always enjoyed diving into a good book or playing a competitive game of cribbage with family members.

She is survived by her sons, Mark (Karen Erickson) Bomberg, Tim (Jeanette) Bomberg, Jack Bomberg, and Paul (Deniell) Bomberg; daughters, Barbara (David) Bauer, and Mary (Larry) Wexler; sister, Nora (Richard) Meyers; 12 grandchildren, Amy (Kris) Johnson, Pamela Spade, Daniel (Jenna) Bauer, Kristin (Sal) Mouidi, Jessica (Ed) McCoy, Bryan Bomberg, Josh Bomberg, Seth (Amanda Hawkins) Fuller, Ryan Wexler, Tyler Novak, Abigail Novak, and Kyleigh Bomberg; 18 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Sandra Witynski; and numerous nieces; and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband of 52 years, Paul, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Angelo; daughter, Ann Bomberg; brothers, Jack Witynski and Thomas Witynski; sisters, Rita Pontbriand and Claire Landry; and great-granddaughter, Cara Bauer.

Visitation will be from 9:30 until 11 a.m., on Monday, Sept. 9, at St Mary Catholic Church. Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., on Monday, Sept. 9, at the church with Father Joseph Soja officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Commonwealth, Wis. Luncheon to follow the burial at St. Mary’s.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Mary Jo’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Florence, to honor Mary Jo’s legacy of life. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Mary.

“Last touch” Grandma Jo, until we meet again.