Margaret Mire Tanner

Margaret Mire Tanner passed away on March 12, 2025 at Francois Bend Senior Living Home in Gonzales LA. She was born April 10, 1935 to Cleveland Mire and Beatrice Mire (nee’ Landry). She was 89 years old.

Margaret met the love of her life, John Dave Tanner (JD) while she was attending Gonzales High School. JD was drafted into the army during the Korean War. On September 27, 1952, at 19 and 17 years old they were married. They shared a close and happy marriage for 70 years. While JD was in service, she earned her GED. She attended the SOLE BR school of accounting in New Orleans. She then worked for WBRZ TV from 1960 to 1968 as Assistant to the Controller in Computer Accounting. She then became a school bus driver for Ascension Parish schools, a position she held from 1969 to 1981, safely transporting numerous students in the parish.

Margaret was most proud of her accomplishments as a founding member and later CEO of Ascension School Employees Credit Union, now known as Ascension Credit Union. What began with index cards in a shoebox to help school employees save money, has become a major Credit Union with 3 branches and parish wide outreach. Margaret attended the Certified Credit Union Executive Program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison with 30+ hours credit. She had the foresight and vision to make ACU what it is today. Her dedication and hard work earned her numerous awards and recognition for her work, culminating in being named to the Credit Union Hall of fame in 2020.

Margaret’s interests were many. She loved cooking, especially baking where she learned techniques to make wedding cakes. (She liked lemon and vanilla but hated chocolate!) She also liked to sew, quilt, and crochet. She was a devote Catholic who prayed the rosary. She loved flowers, classic movies, and dancing with her husband. Her greatest love was her family; like a true gardener, she loved and nurtured them throughout her life. She taught us so much about love, faith, and how to live life as a good person who treats others with kindness. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her spouse, John Dave Tanner, her father, Cleveland Mire, mother, Beatrice Landry Mire and Agnes Marie Mire, sister. She is survived by her 5 children: Margaret Ann Tanner Sanders (spouse, David Sanders), John Dave Tanner, Jr. (spouse, Donna Tanner), Elizabeth Marie Tanner, Paul Joseph Tanner, Cleveland Benton Joseph Tanner (spouse, Ronna Tanner); her 10 grandchildren: Margaret Amanda Sanders Watts (spouse, James Watts), Elizabeth Ann Sanders, David Benton Oliver Sanders (spouse, Hyunjeong Joo), John Anderson Tanner Sanders (spouse, Adolfo Hernandez Morales), Megan Tanner Burgett (spouse, Perry Burgett), Courtney Tanner Babin (spouse, Thor Babin), Rachel Tanner McDowell (spouse, Chris McDowell), Alyson Blair Tanner, Paul Joseph Tanner, Jr., James Harrison Tanner; her 18 great-grandchildren: Margaret Jane Watts, Edmond Michael Watts, Henry James Oliver Watts, David Joseph Watts, Helen Jihae Sanders, Emily Jiyul Sanders, Irene Jiseong Sanders, John Tanner Burgett, Paige Marie Burgett, William Brayden Burgett, Lola Claire Fourroux, Lena Cate Fourroux, Ryder Joseph Babin, Reese Elizabeth Babin, Bowen Christopher McDowell, Macklyn Rene McDowell, Kailee May Tanner, Bailee Ann Marie Butler; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 18, 2025; family visitation at 8:30 AM. Public visitation 9 AM – 11AM. The funeral mass will begin at 11:00 am, 1022 N Burnside Ave, Gonzales, Louisiana. Burial will take place immediately afterward at Hope Haven Garden of Memory, 604 E Hwy 30, Gonzales, LA 70737. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Louisiana Military Family Assistance (MFA) (https://www.vetaffairs.la.gov/benefit/military-family-assistance-fund). Please use the donation link below to make your donation. You may also donate to a charity of your choice in her honor.

Our family would like to extend our appreciation to Hospice Specialists of Louisiana for their attention and care and to her wonderful caregivers and staff at Francois Bend Senior Living who doted on and loved her so much.