Elizabeth “Bette” Marie (Codr) Tomes was born Nov. 10, 1936, to Rudolph and Marie (Vogeltanz) Codr in rural Ulysses.
She attended Seward High School, graduating in 1954. On April 14, 1956, Bette was united in marriage to William E. Tomes at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Seward. Bette was the Utica Postmaster for 24 years. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Altar Society, Utica Unit #49 American Legion Auxiliary, York Elks Lodge #1024 and York F.O.E. #3990. In her free time, she enjoyed traveling, playing cards, going to the casino and horse races and participating in the York Fun Club. Bette passed away March 19, 2024, in Lincoln at the age of 87.
She is survived by her children, Pat (Loretta) Tomes of Dallas, Texas, Bill (Patty) Tomes of Seward, Bonnie (Salvatore) Balistreri of Austin, Texas, Peggy (Mike) Pankoke of Beaver Crossing and Ron (Deb) Tomes of Utica; grandchildren, Dwayne Muckel, Peter Muckel, Andrew (Becky) Tomes, Jen Tobey (Nick Hebrew), Kira (Larry) Nichols, Eliot (Jennifer) Pozehl, Stephanie (Desmond) Bynum, Michael Balistreri, Sarah (Jeremy) Steele, Mitch (Kelsey) Pankoke, Brent (Molly) Pankoke, Ryan (Kathleen) Pankoke, Kristen (Justin) Brahmsteadt, Hannah Tomes (Hunter Reimers), Max Tomes and Sam Tomes; 31 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Jo (Gary) Karnopp, Carol Lee (Mike) Korgan and Jeannie (Bob) Haskins; sisters-in-law, Willie Tomes and Donna Richards; and her Kinship family. Bette was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph and Marie Codr; husband, William Tomes; brother, Don Codr; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
The funeral service will be Wednesday, March 27, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with committal at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery near Utica. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the Tomes family or the donor's choice. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
