Melissa Anne Tarnowski

Melissa "Missy" Tarnowski (55) was born into earthly life on May 23, 1970, and died and was raised into eternal life on January 14, 2026, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She passed in the comfort of her home, amidst the peace and presence of her mother and four children, while the sun shone through her patio door and worship music played on her speaker, singing “it is well with my soul.”

Missy was a graduate of St. Bernard’s High School and received her BS in Business Administration from Southwest Minnesota State University. She was proud of her 20-year career at Ecolab, where she worked as a financial analyst. Missy has always been an active member of her home parish, most recently the Church of the Blessed Sacrament. She was an incredible hostess, a legendary Christmas cookie baker, and always the first to lend a helping hand to someone in need. She was notorious for her strict homeschooling, calendar-keeping, and diverting attention to “shiny objects.” Missy’s energy and presence always lit up the room. She lived a life that was rooted in love and service for her family, both her relatives and her many friends who became family. Her favorite titles were Mom and Nonna.

Missy is survived by her mother, Maureen Erickson; her children, Anthony and Kylee Tarnowski, Jess and Dillon Bruxvoort, Sarah and Christopher Falco, and Andrew Tarnowski; her grandchildren, Julia and Dawson, (and grandpuppies, Ruby, Luna, and Rocky); her sister, Barb (Scott) Triemert; siblings-in-law; numerous nieces and nephews; and her many dear friends. She is now reunited in heaven with her father, William Erickson, and her unborn child.

We commend Missy to the mercy of Almighty God and ask for prayers for the repose of her soul. The family is grateful to Our Lady of Peace Hospice, and especially her nurse, Laura, for her compassionate care, which brought comfort, peace, and dignity in her final months.

A wake and visitation will be held on Thursday, January 22nd at Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home - 2195 Woodlane Dr, Woodbury, MN 55125 - from 4:00-7:00 PM, with a rosary being offered at 6:15 PM. In true Missy fashion, one of her final wishes was to go out with a party, so the celebration of her life will continue at Duke's Pizza Pub and Grill, 1285 Geneva Ave North, Oakdale, MN 55125, from 7:00-9:00 PM where Missy wanted to “buy the first round.”

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament - 2119 Stillwater Ave. St Paul, MN 55119 - on Friday, January 23rd at 10:30 AM, followed by interment at Union Cemetery in Maplewood, MN.

“Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:23)