Clarence Taatjes
Clarence John Taatjes Jr. (81) of Sun City, AZ / Baxter, MN, passed away peacefully into eternal life on September 13th, 2019 at Bethany Good Samaritan Hospice Care in Brainerd, MN. Services for Clarence will be held on September 19, 2019 at 11AM at Halvorson Taylor Life Events Center in Brainerd, (512 S 8th St.) with a visitation one hour prior to the service, followed immediately with a luncheon at the funeral home. Clarence was born September 29th, 1937 in Raymond, MN to Clarence and Tillie (Fokken) Taatjes. Clarence graduated from Raymond High School in 1955 and joined the United States Navy at the young age of 17 and served proudly for 3 years. He attended Minneapolis Business School and worked as a Court Reporter in Minneapolis where he met the “First Love of His Life,” Sharon Rae Rose Kokkinen. they were married February 5th, 1965 in Moody County, South Dakota. He continued court reporting in Aitkin and Brainerd for 34 years, where they made their home on Gull Lake. He retired in 1996 and met the “Second Love of His Life,” Sharon Fjelstad in 2000. Together, they spent the winter months in Sun City, AZ and the summer months in Baxter, MN for 19 wonderful years. He enjoyed golf and worked as a players assistant for The Pines at Grand View Lodge for 22 seasons. He achieved 3 Holes In One and too many “mulligans” to count. Clarence was also a member of the Elks Club and American Legion for years. He was a proud husband, father, and friend who was always humble, happy and enjoyed family, friends and a good time. He is proceeded in death by his wife, Sharon Rae Rose Taatjes, of 27 years in 1992, his parents, sisters: Betty Haats, Wilmar, MN, Myrna Manly, Reno, NV. He is survived by his two sons, Chad (Susan) Taatjes, Brainerd, MN, Joseph (Jill Holmen, significant friend), Duluth, MN; significant other, Sharon Fjelstad, Baxter, and her family; brother, Denis Taatjes, Grand Rapids, MI; sister, Audrey Taatjes, St. Cloud, MN; two brothers-in-law, Jim Manley, Reno, NV and Duane (Annetta) Kokkinen, Pengilly, MN; and many nieces and nephews. Clarence will be remembered for his positive attitude, infectious smile, and “contaatjes” laugh. He will be truly missed and never forgotten. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.Obituary
Clarence John Taatjes Jr. (81) of Sun City, AZ / Baxter, MN, passed away peacefully into eternal life on September 13th, 2019 at Bethany Good Samaritan Hospice Care in Brainerd, MN. Services for Clarence will be held on September 19, 2019 at 11AM at Halvorson Taylor Life Events Center in Brainerd, (512 S 8th St.) with a visitation one hour prior to the service, followed immediately with a luncheon at the funeral home. Clarence was born September 29th, 1937 in Raymond, MN to Clarence and Tillie (Fokken) Taatjes. Clarence graduated from Raymond High School in 1955 and joined the United States Navy at the young age of 17 and served proudly for 3 years. He attended Minneapolis Business School and worked as a Court Reporter in Minneapolis where he met the “First Love of His Life,” Sharon Rae Rose Kokkinen. they were married February 5th, 1965 in Moody County, South Dakota. He continued court reporting in Aitkin and Brainerd for 34 years, where they made their home on Gull Lake. He retired in 1996 and met the “Second Love of His Life,” Sharon Fjelstad in 2000. Together, they spent the winter months in Sun City, AZ and the summer months in Baxter, MN for 19 wonderful years. He enjoyed golf and worked as a players assistant for The Pines at Grand View Lodge for 22 seasons. He achieved 3 Holes In One and too many “mulligans” to count. Clarence was also a member of the Elks Club and American Legion for years. He was a proud husband, father, and friend who was always humble, happy and enjoyed family, friends and a good time. He is proceeded in death by his wife, Sharon Rae Rose Taatjes, of 27 years in 1992, his parents, sisters: Betty Haats, Wilmar, MN, Myrna Manly, Reno, NV. He is survived by his two sons, Chad (Susan) Taatjes, Brainerd, MN, Joseph (Jill Holmen, significant friend), Duluth, MN; significant other, Sharon Fjelstad, Baxter, and her family; brother, Denis Taatjes, Grand Rapids, MI; sister, Audrey Taatjes, St. Cloud, MN; two brothers-in-law, Jim Manley, Reno, NV and Duane (Annetta) Kokkinen, Pengilly, MN; and many nieces and nephews. Clarence will be remembered for his positive attitude, infectious smile, and “contaatjes” laugh. He will be truly missed and never forgotten. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Events
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