SAD NEWS - LAURA TANKO PASSED AWAY

[flattop44]

Dan Tanko told me that Laura passed away Monday at 8 AM. Laura was the wife of Dan who is also known as RugerGuy on the Forums. Dan said that he and Laura had been happily married for 60 years 6 months and 19 days this past Monday when she passed away.
Laura collected and displayed Ruger 22 revolvers and pistols. Her displays were outstanding, she really knew her Rugers.
I first met Laura at a Louisville, KY RCA Display show in the 1970's, we sat up displays beside each other. She was a RCA Emeritus, amongst other honors.
A wonderful lady. Our prayers go out to Dan and family, we know that she is now in a better place!
FT44/Bill

[gunman42782]

Prayers for the family...

[rpm enterprises]

Sorry to hear this sad news. Thoughts and prayers to Dan and the Tanko family.

[contender]

Truly sad news.

I only met her a few times. But Dan & I go back many years.

Miss Penny & I offer up our thoughts & prayers for the Tanko family.

[rugerguy]

Thank you Bill and others,,,, I must have been babbling ,so he can correct the info she never had any 10/22 except one that Chief AJ built for her and our son Joe years ago when Joey helped the Chief at a display show back in the day...........my thoughts and prayers to any of you that have to deal as a caregiver to any loved one ,let alone ANY person suffering from dementia and ALzheimers....wow, what a ride, BUT it made ME closer to my God as HE was with us on this journey...take care and God Bless

[Fargolimo]

I was able to spend a few days with Dan and Laura this last April, and witness the incredible care Dan gave Laura. When I flew to Cleveland to meet them I was going to stay in a motel the first night, but Dan wouldn't have it and made me stay right there! I met Dan online while buying his 80 year old American Rifleman collection and tried to figure out how I was going to haul all of that back to Fargo since it was over 1,000 miles. This over the phone friendship grew as we tried to figure out the shipping etc. and culminated in me being the caretaker for many of the fantastic Rugers' that Laura, (and Dan), had collected over many years. I will be displaying the Standards that Laura put together that included all 9 types of the early Red Eagles, the only pair, ( I believe), that share the same serial number, 2720, and a few others that are just plain cool. There were many others in the collection, and Dan and I spent hours pouring over the collection and teaching me so much of the history and facts about these amazing Standards and Bearcats. It was quite a trip for me for sure, but out of everything I received, Dan's continuing friendship has been the most valuable.

I was saddened when Dan sent me a text that Laura was gone, I could feel the pain in his text and called him right away. He told me that they had been married for 60 years, 6 months and 19 days, (or something very similar to that), but I could tell that he was genuinely relieved that her pain was gone and she would be sitting at the Lord's table! I would encourage anyone that knows Dan to give him a call and check up on him whenever you can, and thanks to Bill Hamm for starting this important thread.

My Tulsa display this year will feature Laura's Red Eagles, along with her RCA field representative badge and name tag which were very important to me to show who actually put these collections together. I have been fortunate to meet so many fantastic people in the last 4 years, and was very fortunate to meet Laura and Dan Tanko. God Bless the memory of Laura Tanko, and God Bless Dan Tanko for the incredible care he gave her. Sincerely, Bill

[Coogs]

Dan, sorry for you loss..... may God grant you strength and comfort......spent many hours with you guys at the PGCA and Bill Goodman shows back in the day......and a little show in Indiana I believe......God Bless you, my friend

[Doc4429]

Dan...So sorry for your loss of Laura. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Bill

[RoninPA]

Dan, Sorry to hear about Laura passing. She is now in a better place with our Lord and Savior and feels no pain. Take some time, relax from all the work you did to make her comfortable through the years, you will be rewarded for what you did caring for her.

[radicalrod]

Dan so sorry to hear about Laura.....I have had the opportunity to buy a few of her guns and even had a few of her wonderful omelets.....she sure loved her RUGERS and knew everything about them....you guys both had it rough....glad she is at peace now.