David Eric Tatro, 70, of Grantsburg, WI, passed away at the University of Minnesota Medical Center on Tuesday May 26, 2020.

David, better known as Dave to friends and family, was born on June 3rd, 1949 in northern Minnesota. He was adopted as a young child by Elenor (Erickson) and namesake David Carlson and later by John Tatro. Dave was the second oldest child in the family. He spent most of his childhood years living in Crystal MN, where he later graduated from Cooper High School.

Dave met the love of his life, Roberta, when they were both renting apartments above Hum’s Liquor Store in Uptown Minneapolis. They were married in August of 1969 and remained inseparably happy until Roberta’s death in December of 2016. David served in the US Army in Bremerhaven, Germany with Robbie and their eldest daughter Erica, during the Vietnam War. He and Roberta and their growing family lived for a short time in “Dinkytown” (near the U of M campus), Anoka, Willernie and eventually settled in East Bethel MN where they lived and raised their family for 30 years. There, they enjoyed gardening, coaxing goats off of roofs, gigantic bonfires with friends, attending church and bible study, and trying to keep their children on the straight and narrow path.

Dave worked for over 30 years as a postal carrier for the United States Postal Service in Fridley MN, until he retired in 2003.

Dave and Robbie moved to Grantsburg, Wisconsin when he retired. They enjoyed living in a small close-knit community and made many friends. They loved their backyard garden, planting it with flowers and hostas to brighten summer days and filling it with hundreds of solar lights to beautify dark nights. Dave loved history, and focused on military history as well as religious studies. He was an expert on both the Old and New Testament in the Bible, and more than one religious scholar was put to the test with his joy of a good "discussion". David was an active member of local and county Historical Societies, the American Legion, the Public Library and he enjoyed the many small town local events. He loved Boston Terriers and is greatly missed by the 2 that he left behind.

David was very happy to have found his biological Homme family later in life, and to have had the opportunity to get to know both his biological mother and father, as well as many siblings. He found great comfort in how at ease he felt with his new found family, and loved learning that he was 100% Norwegian.
Dave was preceded in death by his wife Roberta “Robbie” (nee Simon) Tatro, sister Ramona “Monie” (Tom) Sinclair, mother Elenor “Bonnie” (nee Erickson) Tatro, father’s Dave Carlson and John Tatro, biological mother Marie Hanson, and biological father Thomas Homme.

He is survived by his children: Erica (Jeremy) Morton of Grantsburg, WI, Lucas (Ashley) Tatro of Worthington, MN, & Justin (Collette) Tatro of Corcoran, MN; his Grandchildren: Alexandra (John) Epperly, Devin (Stephanie) Paine, Rebecca (Alex) Jennings, Dakota Hamilton, Ty Munz, Elizabeth (Karl) Morton, Zoe (Kayle) Munz, Christian Arteaga, Teagan Tatro, Jayden Tatro; his Great Grandchildren: Hazel, Elsie, and Nora; His sisters: Cynthia and Heidi Tatro; as well as several biological Homme siblings, and many nieces and nephews.

He will be dearly missed by friends and family, and joyfully welcomed into the arms of Jesus.

~ Psalms 23:4,6 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. ~

A private family graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 6th at 2pm at Riverside Cemetery of Grantsburg.

Last Update: Jun 01, 2020 1:05 pm CDT