Mary Ann Tanner December 29, 1930 - January 21, 2019

Sept. 1929 – Jan. 2019

Mary Ann Tanner, 89 of Turlock, passed away on Monday at Emanuel Medical Center.

Mary Ann was born on Sept. 20, 1929 to Paul and Olga Matson, at the original Emanuel Hospital on Canal Drive in Turlock.  She grew up in Turlock’s Youngstown Colony, a Swedish settlement just south of town where her family settled years before, where she was a student at Johnson Joint Elementary School.  Mary Ann enjoyed her rural lifestyle, such as gardening and meeting neighbors, including her future husband.  When a neighbor’s cow got loose and meandered into her yard, that young strapping neighbor came looking for his cow.  A few years later, Mary Ann and that neighbor, Jay Tanner, were married and had their first of many children.

Both graduates of Turlock High School, Mary Ann and Jay settled in Turlock creating a family of seven children.  Mom played the violin and dad played the trumpet, so music was a staple in the house.  Her children’s friends would love coming over to visit because the home was filled with love, laughter, and the warmth that Mary Ann and Jay displayed.

Later in life, Mary Ann joined her husband serving God through leadership in their church and as active Gideon members.  Her love of God shaped her character and actions toward others, comforting those who needed support.  Over the years, several church members have described how Mary Ann helped cultivate and shape their faith in God.

In addition to being an avid reader, Mary Ann loved gardening and canning enough food to feed her family and friends””she was especially famous for her “Blue Ribbon” sweet pickles.  Two of her greatest loves, family and gardening, went hand in hand as she would take her grandkids and her great grandkids for  strolls in the garden, giving advice, picking produce, and above all, pulling weeds.  As her great granddaughter recently said, “grandma, there are no weeds in heaven.”

She is preceded in death by her parents Paul and Olga Matson, her husband Jay Tanner, and her granddaughter Laura Tanner.

She is survived by her children Linda LaChapell (Mark), Stanley Tanner (Linda), Patty Kapor (George), Dave Tanner, Evie Braley (Victor), John Tanner, all of Turlock, and Brian Tanner of Modesto; 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.  She is also survived by her siblings Norman Matson, Harvey Matson, and Carolyn Sanders.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 30 at 1pm at Allen Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons International (www.gideons.org/donate).