Lena Tuomala

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Lena Faye Tuomala, 89, Anderson, MO entered into rest March 28, 2021 after several months of ill health. She was born December 5, 1931 in Goodman, MO to Alice “Allie” Emma (Brotherton) and Alvie Grife. 

Faye was a lifelong resident of the area and also a lifelong member of the Splitlog Baptist Church. She loved and adored her church family. 

Faye married the love of her life, Paul Edward Tuomala on June 10, 1956 at Ft. Crowder; they were very happily married for 34 years and raised seven children together. When he became ill, she took on the role of caregiver and loved and cared for him until he passed on July 20, 1990. 

Faye was a wonderful mother and was always present for her children and grandchildren. She served for many years as a room mother, Girl Scout leader and as a Boy Scout Cub and Den mother. She loved to bake and was an amazing cook. She was an avid card player and loved to get together with her friend to play canasta and rummy. 

Planning and organizing her family reunion every year was a major highlight in her life. To say that she loved her family is an understatement. She lived and breathed for them and was always available to visit and give out her famous hugs. 

Her grandchildren will always have fond memories of getting off of the school bus in the evenings at her house and there was always a sweet snack waiting for each of them. No matter what she had to do that day, she made sure that she was there for them when they got home. 

Faye took cake decorating classes and loved to make the grandchildren cakes for their birthdays and made several wedding cakes for family members. Being a grandmother was her favorite thing to be. She took every advantage to brag on them and was extremely proud of each and every one of them.

Faye is survived by five children, Gerald Ray Boman, Edward K. Tuomala and wife, Cathy, Eric L. Tuomala and wife, Bonnie, Beth Douglas and husband, Mark, Jennifer Mikeska and husband, Chris; one daughter-in-law, Susie Tuomala; two sisters, Melva DeLaMatter and Jeanie Nolan and husband, Butch; one brother, Floyd Grife; twenty grandchildren; forty-one great grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. 

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, Larry O’Neil Boman on December 13, 1973 and Kris Michael Tuomala on January 13, 2008; and three brothers, Vernie Grife, Johnny Grife, and Jim Grife.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 pm, Friday, April 2, 2021 at Splitlog Baptist Church, Goodman, MO with Pastor Shan Cobb officiating. Private graveside services will follow at Banner Cemetery, Anderson, MO. 

Her grandsons, Paul Tuomala, Eli Tuomala, Alex Mikeska, Mason MacKall, Nathaniel Wimpey, Trenten Wimpey, Jordon Boman, and Kenneth Mitchell will serve as pallbearers, and grandsons, Dallas Tuomala and Rusty Ludiker will serve as honorary pallbearers. 

The family will have a time of visitation at Clark Funeral Home, Neosho, MO on Thursday, April 1, 2021 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Contributions to honor Faye may be made to Splitlog Baptist Church, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, MO 64850.