Chester “Chet” Tomczak, 84, set off for his last adventure, passing away at home on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. He was born February 16, 1938 in Sturgeon Lake, MN to John and Angeline Tomczak and was the third of thirteen children.
Chet graduated from Old Falls High in 1956.
He married Sylvia Jonassen of Fort Frances, Ontario on February 13, 1960 and they had six children.
He was an electrician in the Mill for 42 years and will be fondly remembered with a Styrofoam coffee cup in his hand.
One of Chet’s biggest adventures was flying to the Arctic Circle in a 90hp Aeronca Champ with Maynard Daymond in 1969. Jim Kimble, a writer for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, happened to be there at the same time and named them “The Tough Luck Twins” because of the obstacles they overcame on their adventure.
Chet shared his love of flying with his sons, friends, and grandchildren. He was a family man and his kids and grandkids always came first. Many years ago, his friends wanted to fly with him because he knew the Canadian lakes like the back of his hand, but his plane was always full- those seats were reserved for his kids.
He never missed a deer season at the family shack. In fact, those times were cherished above all and they headed out there for two weeks, with everything but the kitchen sink.
If you were ever looking for Chet, it was a good idea to check the garage firstchances are he was out there tinkering with his boys. He was well known for his knowledge of all things mechanical and could fix anything.
Papa Chet (Grampa) was a staple in the stands at games and along the fence line of ball fields. He was his grandkids’ biggest fan!
Chet was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leonard and John; sisters, Shirley Christianson and Donna Halgrimson; and grandson, Matthew Spoke.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Sylvia; their children, Sandy (Augie) Nicosia, John (Marianne), Connie Burns, Julie Swenson, Mike, and Chris (Tara); 16 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; brothers, Ed Tomczak and William (Maureen) Tomczak; sisters, Angeline Grant, Eileen (Butch) Arnold, Regina Friesen, Maxine Tomczak, Sharon Stromstad, and Mary Tomczak; as well as extended family.
Chet was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grampa (papa), and friend. Although he will be greatly missed by all, we have gained a coffee-drinking, cigarette-rolling, airplane-buzzing, jitterbug-dancing, house-boat-loving guardian angel to watch over us and as his grandson Jett said upon his passing, “Now he can see all of my games.”
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 16th, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Sylvia Tomczak residence.
Condolences may be left on www.greenlarsen.com
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary, Inc.
