Rae Marie (née Stromberg) Tomkiewicz

Rae Marie Tomkiewicz (née Stromberg) (1928–2025) Rae Marie Tomkiewicz, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and spirited traveler, passed away peacefully at home in Hobart, Indiana, on May 19, 2025, at the age of 96. Born in 1928 during the Prohibition era, Rae Marie grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Calvin Coolidge was President, and the world was on the brink of enormous change. She was the daughter of Raymond and Margaret Stromberg and graduated from Juneau High School in 1946. A hardworking and determined young woman, Rae Marie began working at the Wisconsin Telephone Company at the age of 15, going to work after school. Her lifelong devotion to family and service would become a central thread of her story. She met her future husband, James Tomkiewicz, at a dance at the Eagles Club in Milwaukee—a moment that led to a love story and the raising of six children. She volunteered as a Cub Scout Den Mother extraordinaire in the early 1960s and later spent 20 years volunteering at St. Mary’s Hospital following her retirement from Jewel-Osco. Her zest for life never dimmed. In her later years, Rae Marie traveled the world, visiting Paris, Greece, Italy, and—at age 84—Australia. She also traveled extensively throughout the United States, including an Alaskan cruise. At 86, she zip-lined aboard the world’s largest cruise ship. She also para-sailed in Mexico in her early 70s. She saw Frank Sinatra perform live at the Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee in his early days and even caught Lucy and Desi Arnaz in their prime at the same venue. Rae Marie’s legacy is one of love, laughter, service, and unshakable spirit. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Tomkiewicz; her parents, Raymond and Margaret Stromberg; her siblings, LaRue McKay, Raymond Stromberg, Verna Gallitz, and Pamala Hartmann; her daughter, Diane Saviola; her grandson, Matthew Tomkiewicz; and her great-grandson, Jack Tomkiewicz. She is survived by her brother, Rick Stromberg (Gail); her children: Kathy Davis, Stacy Kenny (Pete), Thomas Tomkiewicz, Mark Tomkiewicz (Sherri), and Tracy Tomkiewicz (Lisa); and many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren who will remember her for her boundless energy, sharp wit, generous heart, and unwavering devotion to family. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 107 Main Street, Hobart, IN. A graveside service will follow at Calumet Park Cemetery, 2305 W 73rd Ave, Merrillville, IN. Family and friends are invited to a gathering and celebration of life at the Barrington Ridge Clubhouse, 780 Bracken Parkway, Hobart, IN, immediately following the burial. www.BurnsFuneral.com