Leon Taggart, 1939 – 2022

Leon Edward Taggart, age 83, passed away peacefully surrounded by his children at his home on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at his home in Scranton.

Funeral services will be held Dec. 21, at the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson with Pastor Wendy Pittman officiating. Casket bearers will be Leon’s grandchildren.  Burial will be in the Scranton Township Cemetery with military honors by the Iowa National Guard.

Leon was born May 23, 1939, on his family’s farm in Audubon County, and he was the son of Dale Eugene and Thelma Lucille (Hogueisson) Taggart. He attended country school as a boy and finished his education at Scranton Consolidated Schools.

He was married to Donna Kunce on Dec. 6, 1958, at the Church of Christ in Scranton by Pastor Bob Stacey. The couple made their home in the Scranton – Jefferson area where they raised their children. Leon worked for Crouse Cartage Company for 27 years as an over the road truck driver. In retirement he worked with several local farmers and participated in many church activities, including videotaping worship services at the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson where he was an active member.

Leon is survived by his daughters Kathi Hoskins (Gary) of Jefferson and Karen Chizek (Bill) of Prairie City; son Bill Taggart (Deb) of Scranton; son-in-law Randy Hoyt (Sheryl) of Kalona; 19 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; sisters Joan Hove (Nick) of Bagley and Lynn Oxenford (Jim) of Chicago; sister-in-law Darlene Taggart of Jefferson; and several nieces, nephews, other extended family members, and many good friends.

Leon was preceded in death by his parents Dale and Thelma Taggart; his father and mother-in-law Myron and Irene Kunce; brother Gene Taggart; infant son “Baby Brother”; daughter Kristine Hoyt; grandchildren Grace Hoyt, Ashlee Chizek, and Jacob Taggart; and his wife Donna in 2020.

The family thanked its gratitude to the team at Hospice of the Midwest who provided exceptional care, support and love to Leon and his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Sunday school program in Jefferson. 

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Carroll,  www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

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