Vonne Helen Bourgois, 69, of Watford City, passed away on March 21, 2026.

Vonne was born on October 27th, 1956, to Lorraine Alice Bourgois and Roger Barlow Bourgois in Denver, Colorado. In early childhood at the family farm/ranch in Bismarck, ND, Vonne showed the first signs of one of her life’s passions, always playing with toy tractors, riding her favorite cow “Brownie,” and later falling in love with her horse, Sonny Rey, the first of many equine partners in the 4-H Horse club.

Vonne graduated from Bismarck High School and then briefly attended the University of Mary, where, following her time with the Bismarck High School Symphony, she continued to play the cello and discovered a new passion, aviation, through the University of Mary practicum program at the time. She obtained her private pilot’s license in Bismarck and, to pursue her love of flying, transferred to the University of North Dakota Aviation program, where she received a Bachelor of Business along with her Commercial, Instrument, and Flight Instructor credentials. She expected to have a career in aviation, but as life surprises happen, health issues made Vonne change directions. As the saying goes, she turned lemons into lemonade, joined her father in farming and ranching, and started working with Morgan horses.

It was at an ND Morgan Horse Association meeting that she met and later married the love of her life, Morris Tarnavsky. Vonne moved to join Morris at the ranch on the outskirts of the North Unit of the ND Badlands, where Gus Tarnavsky, their new son, joined the crew in 1991.

While ranching, Vonne supported family interests by actively helping or participating in the Archery club and competitions, Boy Scouts, Music, and First Lutheran Church. She loved gardening, cooking, and, as of late, quilting. Vonne was also a member of the ND Morgan Horse Association and served as a board member of the American Morgan Horse Association.

Vonne never let go of her interest in music, and as Gus flew the nest, she decided to actively participate in the music community by playing her Cello. She began a serious study of the Cello with Dr. Eric Anderson at Minot State University. Vonne played cello with many groups, including the Bismarck Symphony, Dakota Chamber Music, the ND Music Camp, and with her music home, the Minot Symphony Orchestra. Vonne played with the Minot Symphony for 14 years and served on the Minot Symphony Foundation. She viewed them as her second family.

Vonne received the greatest gift of her life last year when her grandchild, Alice Rae Tarnavsky, was born. She cherished her time with Gus, Jassmine, and Alice. As a wonderful treat, they would have breakfast together every Sunday morning and celebrate the week's activities.

Vonne is survived by her son Augustus Tarnavsky and his very special partner, Jassmine Knecht; her grandchild, Alice Rae Tarnavsky; her sister, Jill Bourgois; and her Avian best buds, Rocco and Wally.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Morris Tarnavsky; and parents, Roger and Lorraine Bourgois.

Memorial Contribution