Maren R. Alexis Tomkiel

1954 - 2024

Maren R. Alexis Tomkiel

The Reverend Maren Rae Alexis Tomkiel passed away peacefully on December 24, 2024, at the age of 70. Born on June 6, 1954, she was the daughter of The Reverend E. Jerome Alexis and Marjorie Alexis.

Maren grew up in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh. She was a graduate of Thiel College where she studied Spanish and elementary education. Her career included a position as a teacher in a private school in Mexico City and a bilingual secretary at Raven Industries, Greensburg, Pa.

Always a person of faith, she felt the call to enter the ministry. She attended the United Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa., and was ordained in 2004. After her ordination, she served Messiah Lutheran Church, Munhall, Pa. She later served as interim pastor and pulpit supply pastor in the Beaver County area.

On the suggestion of a family member, Maren attended a senior camp at Camp Nawakwa, Arendtsville, Pa. There she met Joseph Tomkiel of Carlisle, Pa., and a long-distance romance resulted in marriage in June of 2014. She moved to Carlisle where she was a member of Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Maren dearly loved her family and had many other interests. She enjoyed cooking and cooking shows, cats with all their antics, bird and squirrel watching, the works of Vincent van Gogh, musicals, and the Beatles and Billy Joel.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Ian Leif Plowes; her first husband, Juan Manuel Plowes; and her brother, Neil Martin Alexis.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph Tomkiel, and his three children; her sister, Lynn Doyle and her husband, Jack Doyle and their children and grandchildren; her brother, The Reverend Lans Alexis, his wife, The Reverend Sandra Alexis, and their four children; Joel Alexis and his wife, Debi Alexis; and her uncle, Roger Alexis.

A viewing will be held at Hoffman Funeral & Cremation, 2020 W. Trindle Rd, Carlisle, Pa., on Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. On Friday, January 3, 2025, there will be a viewing at Saint Paul Lutheran Church, 201 West Louther Street, Carlisle, Pa., beginning at 9 a.m. followed by a service to celebrate the life of Maren at 11 a.m. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Camp Nawakwa, Lutheran Camping Corporation, P.O. Box 459, Arendtsville, Pa. 17303, where Maren and Joseph first met.