Lavern Tomchak

LaVern Tomchak, 98, of Roberts, passed away May 16, 2017, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. LaVern was born November 11, 1918, in Woodville, Idaho, to LeRoy Willyerd and Margaret Humphries Willyerd. She grew up and attended schools in Utah and Idaho and obtained her GED in Idaho Falls at Eastern Idaho Technical College in 1965. After having a priest refuse to marry LaVern and Laudy in Idaho Falls, they hopped a bus and eloped to Grangeville, Idaho, on May 6, 1937, to have Father Dupont marry them, a marriage which lasted 42 years until Laudy’s death in 1979. LaVern and Laudy made their home in Roberts, Idaho, where LaVern worked as a bus driver and librarian for Jefferson County School District #251, retiring at the age of 94. She received special recognition for being an employee of the district for over 50 years. Even after retiring, she continued to volunteer at the Roberts Elementary School library as a foster grandparent. She was a homemaker and an avid gardener, enjoying the greenhouse that Laudy built for her. She enjoyed watching birds out of her kitchen window and the companionship of her dogs. Being civic minded, her accomplishments included: founding member of the Roberts Garden Club, holding the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, some offices numerous times. She was involved in the State Garden Club and co-chair of Market Lake Days. LaVern served 20 years as Secretary of the Market Lake Cemetery District, as well as being a board member and was also instrumental in expanding the Market Lake Cemetery. She was President of the Roberts PTA and the Roberts Catholic Women’s League. LaVern assisted Wm. Stibal Pettite in five different "Memories of Market Lake" history books. One of the highlights of her life was going to Switzerland with Betty Lang after Laudy’s death to research family history. LaVern is survived by her son, Burleigh (Mabel) Tomchak of Roberts, ID; son, Remy (Luana) Tomchak of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Tye (Shirlene) Tomchak of Idaho Falls, ID; sister, Verla Harker of Nampa, ID; 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, LeRoy and Margaret Willyerd; husband, Laudy Tomchak; daughter, Annette Tomchak; brother-in-law, Dale Harker; and three brothers and one sister. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at the Roberts Event Center (formerly Roberts High School), 653 North 2858 East. The family will visit with friends Monday from 6:30-8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road. Burial will be in the Roberts Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Jefferson Education Foundation, c/o Tye Tomchak, 1742 Brenthaven Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83402. These contributions will be used to buy new books for the Roberts Elementary School library.

Funeral Services will be held