Omah Tatera

Omah (Denny) Tatera, 92, of Topeka,  died July 15, 2016  at St. Francis Hospital.

She was born in Harveyville, Kansas on January 18, 1924 the daughter of Clinton Carl and Elva Elizabeth (Ferrell) Denny.  She was raised from the age of 8 by her father and stepmother Gayle (Schmeil) Denny.

She was a homemaker and raised six children.  In 1970 she graduated from Northwestern University in Alva, Oklahoma with a BA in Music Education.  Omah was an Elementary Music Teacher retiring in 1993 after 22 years of teaching.   She was recognized as a Teacher of the Year.  After retiring from teaching she started the “Grand Pal Program” at the school which is still active today.  This program involved grandparents with the students.  She also received the Dianna Award.

 Omah wrote her own music and also enjoyed playing for sing-alongs at McCrites while she was a resident there.

Omah will be remembered for being actively involved in her children’s activities and being active with the children in her school.   She was active in the P.T.A. and as a Troup Leader for Brownies and
Girl Scouts.  She also enjoyed bowling on several leagues.

She was a charter member of the Holy Rosary Parish in Medicine Lodge where she served as the organist for over 50 years.   Most recently she was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Topeka.  Omah was a member of the Altar Society, Ladies of Columbus, American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Auxiliary.

She married Arthur P. Tatera in Chicago, Illinois on September 29, 1944.  He preceded her in death on November 7, 2013.  A daughter, Valerie Sue Tatera also predeceased her on January 9, 1977 during her freshman year.

Survivors include her children, Carole Hawkins (Kirk) of Topeka, Marilyn Harding (Foster) of Castle Rock, CO., Helen Steinbock (Robert “Bobby”) of Topeka, Roberta McGinnis (Pete) of Monroeville, AL., and Robert Tatera (Barbara) of Somers, NY., 12 grandchildren; Brenda, Todd, Kip, Debra, Annie, Alison, Aaron, Katie, Marcy, Liane, Lindsay and Kelly, 7 step grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 6 step great grandchildren.  Omah was prededed in death by two brothers, Dwayne Denny of Burlingame, KS and Millard F. Denny of Lawrence, KS.

Omah will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Tuesday after 2:00 p.m. where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. and a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in the Harveyville Cemetery, Harveyville, Ks.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation in memory of her daughter, Valerie Tatera.

Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.