Lorraine M. Tomac

Lorraine Marie Tomac (née Bergenheier) passed from this earth - after a short illness - into Our Father’s loving arms on March 28, 2023 in Tucson, AZ surrounded by the warmth of family. Lorraine was born on June 10, 1933 in Gladstone, ND. She was the fourth child of George and Sophie Bergenheier. Lorraine spent her childhood on farms in and around Lemmon, SD where she went to grade school and graduated from high school. During school weeks she did chores for sponsor families and worked for the jeweler and the phone company there.

Lorraine is the loving wife of, and is survived by, her beloved husband Lloyd Lee Tomac whom she married on May 11, 1953 in Lemmon, SD. She spent over 69 years with him nurturing a family of seven children, who were the lights of her life. Along her life’s journey she was blessed with 23 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren.

What Lorraine enjoyed most were visits from children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, visiting with and entertaining friends, cooking, cleaning, gardening, walking, playing cards, doing puzzles, watching Jeopardy and watching the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals. Accompanying her children to Super Bowl VLII in February of 2008 in Glendale, AZ was among her favorite memories. She was an active member of the St. Gianna Oratory in Tucson and numerous other Catholic parishes during her life.

As Lorraine and Lloyd traversed the U.S. they gathered a huge following of friends and admirers. They had residences in South Dakota, California, Colorado, Montana and Arizona. They were also able to travel much of the world together to see many places including religious sites such as Medjugorje, Fatima, Lourdes, and many sites in Rome and Israel.
Lorraine’s adoring children include James Alan Tomac (Shirley) Oro Valley, AZ, Anita Rae Tschida (Dale) Ontario, OR, Connie Jo Schum (George Gonzales) Sturgis, SD, Leslie Lee Tomac (Sharon) Highlands Ranch, CO, Brian Wayne Tomac (Sheila) Green Bay, WI, Dirck Anthony Tomac (Tara) Belgrade, MT and Aimee Marie Burski (James) Buffalo, MN.

James Alan blessed Lorraine with three grandchildren: Lori Ann Bagley (Rob), Sandra Marie Tombre (Ron) and Justin Michael Tomac (Alicia). Lori Ann blessed Lorraine with seven great grandchildren: Evan, Selena, Robin, Morgan, Emma, Gabriela, and James Robert who passed away in infancy. Selena Sparks (Donnie) blessed Lorraine with two great great grandchildren: LeAnne and Rowan. Sandra blessed Lorraine with two great grandchildren: Michael Tombre and Katie Rolf (Logan). Justin blessed Lorraine with two great grandchildren: Hope and Mia.

Anita Rae blessed Lorraine with two grandchildren: Andrew Lee Tschida (Tiffani) who blessed Lorraine with four great grandchildren: Kialee Shaw, Keylee Tschida, Rylee Tschida, and Tatum Chantler. Anita’s son Eric Ray Tschida passed away in August 2019 and is sorely missed. Eric (Kayla) blessed Lorraine with three great grandchildren: Karsyn, Piper, and Aviannah.

Connie Jo blessed Lorraine with three grandchildren: Jessica Louise Durst (Adam), Joseph Maurice Schum (Kate) and Michelle Renee Schum. Michelle passed away in May of 2001 and is sorely missed. Jessica blessed Lorraine with five great grandchildren: Brayden, Rylan, Addison, Noah and Hanna. Joseph blessed Lorraine with two great grandchildren: Adalyn and Elliott.

Leslie Lee blessed Lorraine with five grandchildren: Cecilia Helen Bellendir (Jeff), Reginald Lloyd Tomac (Alexandra), Axel Leslie Tomac, John Heidenreich and Andrew Heidenreich (Michelle). Celia blessed Lorraine with two great grandchildren: Callen Marie and Avonlea Quinn. Andrew blessed Lorraine with two great grandchildren: Graham Oliver and Maren Colette.

Brian Wayne blessed Lorraine with three grandchildren: Matthew Eric Tomac (Sarah), Sarah Joy Tomac, and Daniel Christopher Tomac (Brittany). Matthew blessed Lorraine with four great grandchildren: Nathanial, Sophia, Natalya, and Kyria. Daniel blessed Lorraine with four great grandchildren: Hailie, Henlee, Easton, and Emerson.

Dirck Anthony blessed Lorraine with four grandchildren: Geoff Anthony Tomac, Nicole Alicia Tomac, Emily Sophia, and Alexis (Lexi) Rachel Tomac.

Aimee Marie blessed Lorraine with three grandchildren: Holly Marie Burski, Cale Anthony Burski and Jacob James Burski (Danielle). Jacob blessed Lorraine with three great grandchildren: Vincent, Elise, and Adeline.

Lorraine is survived by three of her siblings: Pauline Svihovec (Gene), Eleanor Tomac (Joe d) and Josephine Burdick (David). She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Harry (Jackie), Vernon (Marie), Donald (Linda), and Joseph (Helen).

On Monday, April 3, 2023 a viewing will be held at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Rosary at 9:30 a.m. and a Latin low mass service at 10:00 a.m. all at St. Gianna Oratory at 338 W University Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85705. Interment will be at Holy Hope Cemetery at 3555 N Oracle Rd, Tucson, AZ 85705. The burial there will be at 12:00 p.m., followed by a reception back at St. Gianna at 1:00 p.m.

Lorraine had an extra special place in her heart for Dirck’s daughter Lexi, one of her 23 grandchildren. So in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation – In Memory of Lorraine Tomac - to www.dream-mt.org (see the “Donate” button) for Down Syndrome Research Education Advocacy in Montana. You can also email them at dream.montana.org@gmail.com , or mail your donation to DREAM, P.O. Box 6051, Bozeman, MT 59771.

This obituary can be viewed online at www.sensiblecf.com