Renetta Belle Tatarchuk

Renetta Tatarchuk was a kind and accepting woman who was always content with what she had. She could find joy in the simplest of things like taking a walk with her dear friend, tenderly preparing a meal for her family, or relaxing while her cat slept on her lap. To Renetta, life was not about the pursuit of wealth, rather it was about the love shared among family. She was blessed to share her lifetime with her one true love, and the generations that sprang forth from their love story will certainly be her greatest legacy.The year 1927 was a significant one for many reasons. Charles Lindbergh flew from Long Island, New York across the Atlantic and safely reached Paris, the motion picture industry was revolutionized by the production of the first all-talking motion picture, and authors such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald were creating masterpieces that would stand the test of time. It was also a year for celebration in the family of Guy and Edna (Ward) Bregg as they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Renetta Belle, on March 15th in Chase, Michigan. Renetta’s mother had children from a previous marriage and so Renetta was the first child born to her parents out of what would be a total of nine children in the combined families. Her father worked for the road commission while her mother was a homemaker. Renetta was raised in the family home in Chase, located in Lake County, and attended local schools. Even as a young girl Renetta enjoyed simple things like going down to the train depot to watch the trains go by or listening to radio shows with her siblings.Great changes were in store for Renetta while she was babysitting a little girl one day when she herself was just 16 years old. Renetta decided to take the young girl for a walk down to the store which would prove to be a fateful walk indeed. Along their journey, the girls walked past a local pickle station where a young man was working who couldn’t help but notice Renetta. His name was Nicholas Tatarchuk and after their introduction, he and Renetta became friends. Over time, their friendship blossomed into something much deeper and in fact, Nick says that Renetta was the only girl he ever loved. The couple made their love official on May 1, 1943 by exchanging their vows at St. Gregory Catholic Church in Carr Settlement. Nick worked as a builder, while Renetta was a cook at the Pere Marquette River Ranch where she worked for 30 years with her good friend Millie Franks. Nick never took a job too far from home so that he would always be able to be home in the evening - and for good reason too. Their family had grown to include four children: Carol, Nancy, Nicholas Jr., and Betty. Both Renetta and Nick were dedicated to their family and their home was always filled with love. Renetta was a great cook whose family loved her fried chicken, homemade bread baked daily, soft molasses cookies, and her children were treated to freshly made cinnamon rolls when they got off the bus from school. Relationships with extended family were important too, as they gathered together every Sunday in Chase with Renetta’s family. Although her family and her work kept Renetta quite busy, she always found the time to enjoy other interests along the way. She liked reading and watching game shows. In fact, Renetta always knew all the answers and her children often wished they could have gotten her on Jeopardy because she would have taken home a fair amount of winnings! When her family grew to include grandchildren, nothing could have pleased Renetta more. She loved preparing big feasts for all the holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with the greatest reward being that her family was all joined together. Renetta spent a lot of time with her sister-in-law Clementine. The pair traveled together to destinations such as Washington, D.C., Branson, Missouri, California, and they even took a tour of the western states. Renetta and Clementine spent time together closer to home too as they often went to movies, for walks, or participated in a variety of other activities. In so many ways, Renetta and Nick were partners not only in marriage, but in life as well. It seemed as though they were joined at the hip, even if they weren’t doing anything in particular. Sometimes they would just take a drive to Ludington beach to take in the sunset while enjoying an ice cream cone. They did travel together a bit during their later years including a trip to Florida and also to Hawaii with their daughter Nancy in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. There were numerous ways in which Renetta was truly a special woman – ways for which she will be fondly remembered. She often said, “Don’t stay long, hurry home,” or “Never get excited, time will heal.” Although she did not allow pets in the home while her children were at growing up, later in life she enjoyed the companionship of her cats. During her later years, Renetta could rarely be seen without a cat curled up, sleeping on her lap. She was such an understanding woman who never held a grudge. Renetta was just so sweet and kind with only goodness in her heart.Renetta Tatarchuk was a woman who was cherished by so many. She brought so much light and life to the world in which she lived just by being herself each and every day. It was easy to see how much she loved her family and that she was so proud of the generations who came after her. As her family and friends now say goodbye, they will forever treasure the moments they were given to share with such an extraordinary woman. Renetta Tatarchuk died peacefully on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at Memorial Medical Center in Ludington. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Eleanor Williams, Virginia Frost, and Roseanne Gadzinski; and her brothers Gerald and Dee Bregg. Renetta will be greatly missed by her husband Nicholas; her children Carol (Carl) Cox of Cadillac, Nancy (William) Yahne of Alpena, Nicholas (Ginny) Tatarchuk Jr. of Holland, and Betty (James) Savich of Fountain; 8 beloved grandchildren, and 14 precious great-grandchildren; her brothers Guy (Lois) Bregg Jr. of Chase, and Orlo Zietz of Muskegon; her sister Shirley Burson of Reed City; and many nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 25 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer, with Rev. Michael Cilibraise as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Tuesday from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. at the Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville. The Rosary will be prayed for Renetta on Tuesday evening at 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Those who wish to make a contribution in her memory are asked to consider the Carr Community Fire Department, or Hospice of Michigan ~ Mason County.

Renetta Belle Tatarchuk

March 15, 1927 - November 21, 2009