Elmer Tarnasky
May 27, 1930 ~ November 21, 2019
Elmer Tarnasky, 89, passed away November 21, 2019.
Elmer was born May 27, 1930 to Michael and Mathilda (Kramlich) Tarnasky in Lehr, North Dakota. He attended a rural country school near Lehr. He worked on various farms, then for the REA installing highline wiring. He also worked at a car dealership until he was drafted in 1952. Elmer completed his basic training at Fort Lee, VA and was then stationed in Germany during the Korean War. Upon returning in late 1953 he married Adeline Schlittenhard on January 31, 1954. They made their home in Fargo. Elmer attended Molar Barber College and started working as an apprentice for Chuck Rustvold. In 1967, he and a business partner Johnny Jundt opened the Golden Shear Barbershop in the K-Mart Plaza. In 1986, Elmer transitioned from the barber business and purchased and operated the AB Shaver Shop until 1993 when he retired. During his retirement he would fill in for various barbers as needed. In his free time Elmer enjoyed tinkering around in his workshop. He built many wooden trains, clocks, shelves and wooden toys for the Salvation Army. During the holiday season you would likely find him ringing bells to raise money for the less fortunate. Elmer liked to golf, go bowling and spend time with his family.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Adeline of 65 years; son, Curtis, Fargo, ND; daughter, Sandy (Sam) Horlacher, Florence, AZ; son, Wayne (Traci), Moorhead, MN; 9 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild and brother, Reuben Tarnasky, Fargo, ND; and sister, Idella Tarnasky, Wishek, ND.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, and a son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Linda Tarnasky; and brothers, Marvin and Matilda Tarnasky, Walter Tarnasky, sister, Esther Dockter.
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To the whole Tarnasky family I would like to express my deepest sympathy on the passing of Elmer.I knew him thru one of my best friends Wayne and Brian and always thought he was a great man,father,and husband to Adeline.I remember he had a great sense of humor,great at cutting my hair,and loved working in his shop in the basement.He made those great clocks during North Dakota Bicentennial year and sold a lot.I know he is now in a better place in heaven with no more pain and suffering.I especially would like to pass my prayers out to Wayne and Traci at this time of sorrow.God Bless you all.
We would like to express our sincere sympathy to Adeline and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Leon and Cheryl Arnold
I’m sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad, My thoughts and Prayers are with your Family….
Dale
Elmer was a wonderful grandfather to my children. He always made time to help Dustin with woodworking projects. He took Alison to menards for projects and made different projects for kate and Ali……he accepted my kids as his own grand and great grandkids. Elmer you will be missed. You where a master barber and I admired your talent. RIP. YOU WILL BE MISSED by many. Love thoughts and prayers.
Jackie
Our sympathy to the Tarnasky family. We only met Elmer a couple of times but always enjoyed visiting about our upbringing in the Streeter/Gackle communities. God’s Peace and Comfort.
The strip mall by South K-Mart in S. Fargo is recently gone and now so is Elmer. My father Emil Schwartzwalter of Streeter ND had his laundry business in that strip mall during the 1970’s and he enjoyed haircuts and visiting time with Elmer and Johnny. My mother Ione would get her hair done at the same location in the ladies parlor. Those were good years. I was born in 1952 the same year Elmer was in the service so I am of another generation but can relate to his being from a small town and going to a country school and I enjoyed talking with him and respected him. I will think of him often when I pass by his former workplace. Himlische Ruh.