David Alan Elroy Taeger was born on November 12, 1943, to Larry and Aileen (Piirto) Taeger in Ontonagon, Michigan.  He was the second youngest of 6 children and grew up and attended school in Trout Creek, Michigan, graduating in 1961.  He went on to study at Suomi College (Hancock, MI), Augsburg College (Minneapolis, MN) and Northwestern Theological Seminary (St. Paul, MN) and worked summers for the Idaho forest service.  David met the love of his life, Sharon Tofte, at Augsburg College and they were married on August 12, 1967 at the Lutheran Seminary.  Sharon became a teacher, and after an internship in Auburn, Washington, David was ordained as a Lutheran Pastor in 1969.       

David’s career in the ministry took them to Port Alberni, BC and it was there that their two children were born – Aaron (1971) and Andrea (1973).  In 1975, he completed a year of Clinical Pastoral Education in Minneapolis before moving to Stony Plain, Alberta where he served as pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (1976-1984) and as a Chaplain for the Good Samaritan Society (1976-1996) in Stony Plain and Edmonton.  David and Sharon ventured up North to the Yukon, where they served Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Whitehorse (1996-2008) before retiring and moving to Camrose, Alberta in 2015 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.  Spending time with family and watching their grandchildren grow brought them great joy.

All who knew David, knew that he loved the outdoors – hunting & fishing from childhood on.  He enjoyed making sausage with friends and was a great cook.  True to his Finnish heritage, he enjoyed getting together for a hot sauna or a strong cup of coffee.  He was an avid reader, and a great listener and always had a smile and story to share.  David’s kind and compassionate nature touched the lives of many and his life was enriched by many friendships.  After Sharon was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy in 2015, he cared for her at home for as long as possible and spent every day with her when she was in long term care.  The spirit of generosity that he extended to others was equalled only by the gratitude that he felt for a life richly blessed.  As he recently stated when reflecting on his life,  “when I look back now, I couldn’t have planned it any better.”

David passed away on Nov. 22, 2022.   He was predeceased by his parents, Larry and Aileen; wife, Sharon; brothers, Clifford, Lloyd and Gerald Taeger. He leaves behind his children Aaron (Terina) Taeger and Andrea Taeger (Daniel Wispinski); grandchildren, Rebecca & Makayla Taeger, Hannah & Luke Wispinski;  brother, Robert Taeger and sister, Jane Wiljanen; an aunt and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Cremation has taken place and a funeral will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church (4102-73 St) in Camrose on December 9th at 2:00.  Interment will take place at a later date.  Memorial contributions may be made to Canadian Lutheran World Relief, Camrose Hospice, Trinity Lutheran Church (Whitehorse) Organ Restoration Fund in David’s name or to the charity of your choice.

Canadian Lutheran World Relief

600-177 Lombard Avenue.

Winnipeg, MB.  R3B 0W5.  Canada. 

www.clwr.org

 

Donations for the Trinity Lutheran Church Organ Restoration Fund can be made by cheque to:

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Whitehorse  

Attention: Church Council Treasurer

312 Strickland Street. 

Whitehorse, YT.  Y1A 2K1.  Canada.

 

Camrose Hospice

Box 1891

Camrose, AB.  T4V 1X8.  Canada.

www.camrosehospice.org