Valerie ‘Val’ Tomczak

She is survived by her husband, Benjamin Tomczak; and two children, Michael Tomczak (Andhrea Cook) and Cortney Tomczak (Eric Pearson); as well as her mother and father, Candy and Terry Lundwall; her sister, Melanie; and brother Todd. She is also survived by her six nieces/nephews, Hailey, Sidney, Morgan, Isabel, Shawn, and Jazzlyn.

She is preceded in death by her father-in-law, Tony Tomczak.

She passed peacefully beside her husband in the early morning hours, following a day of many visits from loved ones and close friends.

She was born on Dec. 29, 1974. As the oldest child she was cherished deeply by her family and often “spoiled.” In her youth and teenage years she enjoyed playing soccer, traveling to and watching her brother’s hockey games, camping with family, and participating in the color guard/flagline. Her parents would describe her as “the opposite of a troublemaker” and “loved by everyone.”

She married her husband, Ben, on Jan. 21, 1995. Shortly after they had their first child, Cortney, and three years later their second child, Michael. As an adult her love of soccer continued in playing for adult leagues and in coaching her children’s summer soccer teams for many years. She was an active member of her church community at First Covenant Church of Iron Mountain and in recent years was a key person in establishing a Celebrate Recovery program there. She was a graduate of Mission Bible Training Center, a Christian rehab facility in Gaastra, and returned to counsel and aid in the ongoing recovery of other program participants. Some things she especially loved include: crime television/media, sour candy, purple tulips, and a hot ham and cheese sandwich from Hardee’s.

In her last five years she moved into a new home, constructed largely by her husband and curated to their own tastes and styles. She planted and tended a garden with her husband, son, and future daughter-in-law. She visited her parents and remained close to them, and her siblings, throughout various hardships and medical strife. And in 2023 she adopted a puppy, Nina, a dog that is deeply loved by her husband and a comfort to him in her passing, a final gift from Val.

Val’s memorial service will be held at First Covenant Church of Iron Mountain on Saturday, June 20, at 11 a.m., with a food reception to follow. Visitation will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. Her family is especially grateful for the excellent level of treatment at St. Vincent Hospital in her final days and the ongoing care from the funeral home.

Condolences to the family of Valerie J. Tomczak may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.