Gertrude "Jeri" Tomala

Jeri Tomala

Age 99 years + 9 months of Ham Lake, Minnesota, passed peacefully at home on October 5, 2022.

Jeri was a daughter, sister, sweetheart, wife, mom, grandma, GG, and friend.

She was Slovak, Catholic and a matriarch.

Jeri enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, cribbage, 500, her Tripoly card parties, mowing the lawn, and decorating her Christmas tree.

Jeri liked Coca Cola, a hot bath, Cub chicken, Chick-fil-A, Laurel & Hardy, getting her mail, and an ice cream cone every night.

Jeri loved daily Mass on EWTN, the 3 Tenors, traveling, reading the paper every day, and dark chocolate.

Jeri was known for her poppy seed bread, sauerkraut and Polish sausage, chocolate birthday cake with her special frosting, and feathered Christmas wreaths.

Jeri sang alto in the church choir, worked as an elevator operator, started driving at age 50, and appreciated the good works of the Salvation Army.

Jeri reminded us to work hard, try new things, learn everything you can, and to always drive carefully.

Jeri was so much to so many.

What a gal!

Jeri is preceded in death by husband, Frank Tomala; brother, Leonard Celusnak; and sister, Marion Vilina.

She is survived by her children, David (Debbie) Tomala, Diane (Mark) Anway, Teresa Tomala (Dan Webb); grandchildren: Kyle, Lindsay, Steven; great-grandchildren: Nathan, Nicholas; and sister, Lee Halling.

A Visitation will be held from 5pm to 8pm on October 13, 2022 at Miller Funeral Home: 6210 Highway 65 NE, Fridley, MN 55432.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on October 14, 2022 at 11am with a visitation one hour prior at the Church of St. Timothy: 707 89th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55434.

Jeri’s interment will be held after services at St. John the Baptist Cemetery in New Brighton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.