Matt Tachenko

Funeral services for Matt Tachenko, 94, of Killdeer, ND, will be Wednesday, December 19, 2007, 10 a. m. at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdeer, ND. Burial will follow in the Grassy Butte Seventh Day Adventist Church Cemetery. Matt passed away Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at his Daughter’s home in Hayden, ID. Matt Tachenko was born October 20, during what was latter called ? The Big Snow? or ?The Cold Winter of 1913? in the Grassy Butte, North Dakota area. He was the eldest of 8 children born to Russian immigrants, Mike and Rose (Sokirka) Tkachenko. Matt already had 5 half brothers from his father?s first marriage to Anna (Kostenko) Tkachenko . He attended the Little Knife Butte Country School, which was 1/2 mile south of his home by Grassy Butte. Matt also attended Killdeer High School, and Sheyenne River Academy in Harvey, ND. He went on to Fargo, ND where he attended Hanson Auto, Tractor and Electrical School and received his diploma in March 1934. In 1935, because ND was dry and farming nonproductive during the depression years, Mike Tkachenko took part of his family which included Matt and they moved near Geneva, Ohio where they truck farmed. During the three years there they managed to support the family by hoeing, picking and selling fruits and vegetables. When Mike returned to ND in 1938, Matt went to work for Starky?s Grocery and Feed Store, Gas-Garage and Auto Dealership in Wayzata, Minnesota for the next two years. He returned home each spring to put a crop in. In 1940 he worked at Alkaseter, Minnesota as a farm hand and delivered garden produce to sell in the outskirts of Minneapolis. Matt returned to ND to assist his father who was ill, traveling to several clinics in different states seeking medical help, but Mike died July of 1941. Matt registered for the army, but was exempt because 4 of his brothers were already in the service and because of the death of his father. On Nov. 16, 1941 at the age of 28, Matt married Olga Gulka from South Heart. They farmed and ranched, raising Hereford cattle. They lived 7 miles west of Killdeer and resided there till recent years. They had 3 children, Paul, Darleen and Karen. Matt?s earlier mechanical training, served him well and he was able to fix most anything on his farm. Matt and Olga celebrated 65 years of marriage before Olga died in Aug 17, 2007. Matt was an active member of the Grassy Butte Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He was known for his support and encouragement to others along with a good sense of humor and a strong Christian faith. He loved to read and enjoyed watching the news which kept him current with the local, U. S and world happenings. Matt was also involved in various community organizations. In the late 40?s, early 50?s, he assisted the county in getting people to subscribe to the local REA (Rural Electric Assoc. ) to get electricity to the farms. He also helped to get subscribers for the Southwest water pipe line to come from the Missouri River. He was on the school board of the Richloam School District for 4 yrs. He worked with the (ASCS) Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Services to measure and check grain for the U. S. Dept of Agriculture. He was a member of the Farmers Union and then the Farm Bureau. Because of these activities he become friends with many people in the neighboring areas and always loved to visit. Matt and Olga enjoyed the many local social events and also traveling in the U. S. and abroad. Matt is survived by Daughters, Darleen Stout of Redlands, CA, Karen (Jon) Carstens of Hayden, ID, four brothers: Gus (Stayce) Tachenko, Grassy Butte, ND, Lonnie (Estelle) Tachenko, Dickinson, ND, Steve (Virginia) Tachenko, Grassy Butte, ND and Mike (Marvella) Tachenko, Avon Park, FL and two sisters: Leone Quast, Beach, ND and Ann (Delmer) Holbrook, Colton, CA, a sister-in-law, Alma Tachenko, Baker, OR and 4 grandsons, Justin Stout, Olympic Valley, CA, Burke Stout, Redlands, CA, Clayton Carstens, Hayden, ID and Trevor Carstens, Hayden, ID. Matt was preceded in death by his parents, 6 half brothers, Nick Tkachenko, George Sterling, Andrew Sterling, Sam Sterling, Bill Sterling and John Davis, brother Joe Tachenko, son Paul who died at the age of 9, grandson Spencer Carstens and wife Olga. Gifts in memory of Matt may be sent to KPAR, Life Talk Christian Radio Station, PO Box 1152, Dickinson, ND 58602


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Burial Date: December 19, 2007
Funeral Home Killdeer, ND

Funeral Service: Wednesday, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Killdeer, ND