Michael Taggart

1949 - 2025

Northfield - Michael Charles Taggart, age 75, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, October 26, 2025, at the Northfield Retirement Community.

Michael was born on November 19, 1949, in Augusta, Wisconsin, to Charles O. and Betty Lou (McLellan) Taggart. He grew up in Augusta and graduated from Augusta High School in 1967. Following high school, he attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education.

After graduation, Michael accepted a teaching position at Sunrise Park Junior High School in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, where he also served as a youth pastor at First Baptist Church of White Bear Lake. It was there that he met Diane Schletty, and the two were married in 1975.

In 1974, Michael moved to Northfield, Minnesota, where he began teaching Health and Physical Education at Northfield Middle School. From 1976 to 1979, he also served as Director of Mink Lake Camp, outside of Grand Marais, Minnesota, where he and Diane led youth wilderness trips into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and shared the gospel with campers.

Michael and Diane were married for 32 years and raised three sons together-Daniel, Steven, and Timothy. They later divorced in 2007.

In 1985, Michael earned his master's degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and went on to practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist in the Twin Cities metro at Colonial Church of Edina, in southern Minnesota, and Red Cedar Clinic in Wisconsin. He continued this work faithfully until his retirement in 2012.

Michael had a lifelong love for the outdoors, wilderness, and traditional pioneer living. For over a decade, he was an active participant in fur trade era rendezvous events. A skilled craftsman, accomplished longbow maker, and expert archer, he took great pride in preserving traditional outdoor and living skills. Michael was also an avid learner and a passionate reader, always eager to explore new ideas and deepen his understanding of the world.

A former member of Emmaus Baptist Church, Michael will be remembered as a warm, social, and down-to-earth man. He was direct, caring, honest, and always quick with humor. He was respected as a teacher, therapist, and friend, and loved by many.

He is survived by his sons Daniel (Lauren) of Boulder, Colorado; Steven (Suzy) of Northfield; and Timothy of Northfield; four grandchildren-Audrey, Nolan, Edie, and Ozzie; his brother Ron (Terri) of Gordon, Wisconsin; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield. A funeral service will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the funeral home, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to HealthFinders Collaborative. www.healthfindersmn.org

www.northfieldfuneral.com