Robert Taffe

Robert Taffe, age 88, of Graceville passed away May 31, 2012, of complications due to Parkinsons disease at Essentia Health – Grace Home in Graceville.

Funeral Services for Robert will be held Monday, June 4, 2012, at 10:30 AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville.

Visitation will be on Sunday, June 3, 2012, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville from 5-8 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:30 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Monday. Father David Breu will be officiating. Burial will be in the Graceville Consolidated Cemetery in Graceville.

Robert James Taffe was born on October 5, 1923 to parents James and Rose (Buller) Taffe in Graceville, MN. Bob was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Faith. He attended a one-room school, District 59 of Big Stone County, for his first 8 grades and then St. Mary's Academy in Graceville graduating with the class of 1942. After school, Robert continued farming. He farmed until retirement in 1986. At that point, Bob went back to school to pursue a second career in crop adjusting. He worked as a crop adjustor for over 20 years, into his 80's!

On October 30, 1954, Bob was united in marriage to Doris Elizabeth Rausch in a morning service at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Collis, MN. To this union, they were blessed with five children. They made their home 3 miles SW of Barry, MN from 1954-1986 where they farmed. In 1986, they moved into Graceville. Doris passed away in 1995. Bob lived in that home until 2011 when he moved into Grace Village.

In November of 1944, Bob entered Military service when he served with the Army in WWII until his honorary discharge in 1946.

Bob was an active member of the community; he was involved in the NFO, Barry Farmer's Elevator, Knights of Columbus, Browns Valley Collection Point, American Legion, Holy Rosary and St. Barnabas Parishes, Toqua Township Board, RSVP – delivering meals and the Flying Club.

Some of Bob's hobbies were: flying, checking the crops, reading, serving the community, his faith and spending time with his grandchildren.

Bob passed away on May 31, 2012 at Essentia Health – Grace Home in Graceville; he had lived to reach the age of 88 years.

Bob is survived by his children: Gary (Kay) Taffe of Grand Junction, Co; Jackie (Don) Gunderson of Bemidji, MN; Mark (Jackie) Taffe, of Graceville, MN; Brother Michael Taffe of Richardton, ND; Brenda (Carl) Smith of Morris, MN; grandchildren: Dan (Nicki) Gunderson of Portland, OR; Mark (Jessica) Gunderson of Shelby, IA; Brady and Molly Taffe of Graceville, MN; Tim and Nick Smith of Morris, MN; great-grandchildren: Anna and Milo Gunderson of Portland, OR; sisters-in-laws: Lois Taffe of Graceville, MN; Addie Taffe of Graceville, MN; Doris Taffe of Graceville, MN; Helen Geyer of Little Falls, MN; Kathy Rausch of Little Falls, MN; Clara Schriefels of St. Cloud, MN; Marilyn Rausch of Randall, MN; and Loretta Rausch of Rosholt, SD; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Doris; parents, James and Rose Taffe, his sister RoseMary Murphy; and his brothers: Leo "Salty" Taffe, Larry Taffe and Ed Taffe.