Norman “Tom” Tomka, 88, of Dodge, died peacefully surrounded by his children on February 2, 2023, at Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.  A visitation will be held on Friday, February 10 at 10:00am, followed by a rosary and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Dodge, Nebraska.  Following Mass, burial will be at the St. Wenceslaus Cemetery.  A luncheon will follow the burial at the Veteran’s Club in Dodge.  Memorials can be made to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church or to the VFW Post 8597, Dodge, Nebraska.

On November 21, 1934, Norman was born to Emil and Helen (Kresl) Tomka in Dodge, Nebraska.  Norman was the oldest of four siblings, Lois (Gordon) Pilmore of Dodge, Jim (Mary Lou) of Lincoln, and Judy (Joseph) Hurd of Omaha.

Norman graduated from Dodge High School in 1952.  He proudly served the U.S. Army in the Korean War.  Upon returning from the war, he attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  On Aug. 6, 1960, he married Rose (Lueckenhoff) at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point.  Together they raised 3 children, Scott, Lincoln, NE, Kevin (Julie), Olathe, KS, and Lisa (Sean) Gabel, Olathe, KS.  Norman owned and operated “Tom’s Hideaway,” a local bar in Dodge, for over 30 years.  He also founded Tomka Insurance Agency in 1967 and retired at the age of 85.  He was the oldest working independent insurance agent in the state of Nebraska.  He was very active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Club in Dodge, where he served as a state and local commander over the years.  Other than his years in the service, he lived his entire life in Dodge and was very proud of the Dodge community.  He also enjoyed his special river retreat in Niobrara, Nebraska, where he could spend time with his family while hunting and fishing.

In addition to his siblings and 3 children, Norman is survived by 8 grandchildren:  Sam and Charlie Tomka; Cameron, Anna and Bryce Tomka; Jack, Kate and Reed Gabel; sisters-in-law, Rose Lueckenhoff and Joan Lueckenhoff, both of West Point; and brother-in-law, Frank Duker of Kennesaw.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Rose; sisters-in-law, Agnes “Mutz” (Jerome “Bud”) Schlecht, Ruth (Fritz) Reiman, Louise (Maurice) Gralheer, Joan (Joseph) Knobbe, and Karen Duker; brothers-in-law, Fred Lueckenhoff and Jim Lueckenhoff; nephews Chad Duker, Michael Lueckenhoff, Brian, Jan, and Greg Schlecht, and niece Debra Pruss.