Tanya Helene Chowning, 65, of Memphis, Missouri went to heaven on Monday, December 19, 2016 at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri after a three year battle with lung cancer.

Tanya was born August 29, 1951 in Denison, Iowa to Harold Dale and Beverly Jean (Habenicht) Gore. As a young child she grew up with her four siblings in sunny Miami, Florida. Tanya and her siblings spent many hours cracking coconuts, eating guava and playing at the city park. Their parents never new who they might bring home from the park for a visit!

She married Michael Kerkmann from Omaha, Nebraska in 1967 and from this union three children were born. On June 7, 1996 she married James Everett Chowning at her parent's home in Crawford, Missouri. Tanya loved being with people. She was the manager/owner of Spence's Tavern for many years and also enjoyed working as a CNA while living in Omaha. Tanya's children and grandchildren were her greatest joy. She attended the First Baptist Church in Memphis, Missouri.

She is survived by her husband of the home, her parents: Harold and Beverly Gore of Memphis, Missouri;. two sons: Robbie Kerkmann and wife, Jenny, Jason Kerkmann and a daughter, Kim Kerkmann, all of Memphis, Missouri. Two step sons: Eliot D. Chowning of Montgomery, Alabama and Evan I. Chowning of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; four grandchildren Nikki and husband Andy Cowell, Griffan Kerkmann, Spencer Kerkmann and Kaley Kerkmann; four step-grandchildren: William, Jaxson, Dexter and Nadia Chowning; two great-grandchildren Jaxon and Emersyn Cowell; a sister Marcia Kay Ostrom and her husband David of Papillion, Nebraska, nieces and nephews and friends.

Tanya was preceded in death by two brothers: Robert Lee Gore and Randy Scott Gore and a sister Sherry Ann Gore-Simpson.