Margaret “Peg” Tatarka

Margaret "Peg" Tatarka passed away on January 13, 2016 at St. Vincent Hospital with her family at her side following a short illness. She was born in Helena on September 26, 1923 to Leo and Felicia (Sullivan) LaReau. After graduating from Helena High School in 1941, she attended Montana State University. She transferred to the University of Minnesota, where she graduated with a degree in public health nursing. She worked at Fort Harrison Veterans Hospital near Helena prior to her marriage. She later worked as a home health nurse at the Visiting Nurse Association in Davenport, Iowa, retiring in 1991. Peg married Anthony "Tony" Tatarka on April 19, 1952 at the Cathedral of St. Helena. They had two children. They lived in Butte, Helena and Billings in Montana, and Bettendorf, Iowa. After retirement, she and Tony returned to Billings. She volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul in Billings for a number of years after retirement.

She was preceded in death by her husband Tony in 1997. She is survived by her daughter Joan of Marion, Iowa, son Dan of Shepherd, granddaughter Jessica Tatarka of Billings, "adopted granddaughter" Annie Ayre of Billings, and a large extended family

A celebration of her life will be held in May with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m. on May 5 at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on May 6 at St. Bernard Catholic Church. Memorials can be made to a charity of your choice.