On Sunday, Sept. 20, Myrna Tarnasky passed from complications from pulmonary fibrosis. Myrna was born Aug. 24, 1936 in Bowman to John and Clara Bowman. Myrna joined big sister Marilyn (Oakland); little brother Ronald was born a few years later. Myrna Dell, as she was known to all her relatives including 55 first cousins, graduated from Bowman High School in 1954, and from Jamestown College (Jamestown, North Dakota) with music and teaching degrees in 1958. At Jamestown she met and later married, William Tarnasky. They celebrated 57 years together in June of this year. After college, Myrna taught elementary music in New York Mills, Minnesota, and then fifth grade in Bismarck. After getting married June 12, 1960, she and Bill moved to Grand Forks, teaching school off and on as she supported Bill as he obtained his medical degree at the University of North Dakota and University of Kansas.
Myrna and Bill had two children, Paul and Jill (Schmid). Before moving to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1972, the family lived in Killeen, Texas, while Bill was in the service, and then Colorado Springs, Colo. In Coeur d’Alene, Myrna was integrally involved in the First United Methodist Church, in particular the music program. Over the years she was the music director, choir director, and organist. Myrna was also very active in the hospital’s Medical Auxiliary.
Myrna’s family includes her husband, Bill; son, Paul and his wife, Lisa; their children, Tyler (married to Jennifer), Leia and Will; daughter, Jill and her husband, Dave and their son, Ryan. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, and an infant son, Danny.
A celebration of Myrna’s life will take place 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 at the Community United Methodist Church with Yates Funeral Home in care of the arrangements. Donations in Myrna’s name can be made to: Community United Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815, Children’s Village, 6200 N. Children’s Village Ct., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815, or Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835. You may visit Myrna’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.