Kathleen Samuelsen Taggart was born November 18, 1934, in Salt Lake City to proud Danish immigrants, Wilford and Valborg Samuelsen. She proudly graduated from her two favorite schools, South High School (On South High!) and the University of Utah (Go Utes!). She utilized her college degree by teaching history and civics at Bryant Middle School where she relished her opportunity to shape and guide middle-aged children. She joined the South High Alumni Choir, later named the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir, where she was a member for 50 years and served as Executive Secretary for the majority. Little did she know when she joined the choir, that she would meet the love of her life, Richard Milton Taggart, whom she eventually married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 13, 1958, and had four children.
She had an unbelievable love for her parents, especially the bond she shared with her father who passed away in 1952. She loved reminiscing about holding her father's ear, who was battling heart disease, while listening to classical music in their family’s front room. She never spoke an unkind word about her “Daddy”. She was a “trickster” at heart and loved to tease her sisters in her younger years and continued that on throughout her life. Her love for her sisters, Rose Marie and June, was unmatched and special. There were many Bear Lake vacations, family parties, and lunches shared. The spiritual reunion with her parents and her sisters will be special.
Kathie loved nothing more than to spend time with her husband, children, and grandchildren, whether that was throwing a birthday party for every single person, sitting on the beach at Bear Lake (63 straight years), enjoying Spring and Fall General Conference in the mountains together, or even just spending time in her front room listening to the happenings of her children and grandchildren’s life. She enjoyed and relished every second of family time and it showed.
She was extremely proud of her Danish heritage and beamed whenever anybody asked about her roots. Her love of cooking was deeply rooted in the same as she lovingly made dishes like Skilpadde, Risengrød, Frikadeller, and many more. Her egg salad sandwiches, sugar cookies, Danish pastry, and breadsticks are famous, and she loved to share them with friends, family, and loved ones (although rarely the recipe itself!). She loved the holidays and decorated the house to the max for every holiday but especially for Halloween and Christmas. Every day in October and December was her favorite day.
She loved to garden and was known for her prized roses and her abundance of geraniums. She was an excellent seamstress and created many Halloween costumes, baby blessing dresses, and even her daughter's wedding dress. Her organizational skills were second to none in everything she did as she loved to organize dances, parties, and everything else in between. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings in Primary, Activity Days, Young Women, and Relief Society. She had an innate gift of comforting those in need and actively listening to people to make everybody feel like they were her best friend. She left an indelible mark on so many people and her legacy will live on.
She is survived by her eternal companion, Richard Milton Taggart, and her children: Rick Taggart (Lisa), Kasey Glissmeyer (Steve), Hank Taggart (Lesa), and Lincoln Taggart. She has 6 grandchildren (Jen, Conor (Lisa), Shaylee, Carson, & Lauryn) and 1 great-grandchild (Ava).
Services will be held on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Valley View Stake Center located at 2245 E 3900 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84124. A viewing will be held Monday, November 13, 2023, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary located at 3401 S Highland Dr, Millcreek, UT 84106. There will be an additional viewing before the funeral from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary.
