Funeral services: Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.
Interment: Custer County Cemetery.
M. Victoria Taggart, 98, went to her Eternal Rest on January 27, 2009. A former resident of Miles City, Montana for 40 years, her life ended at Good Shepherd Community in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota.
She was born to homesteaders, Jackson Gray and Anna Nourmale (Hahmann) Stuart in Marmarth, North Dakota, on July 24, 1910. Victoria graduated from Marmarth High School and attended Spearfish Teachers College. She married Alfred Brakke in 1930 and continued to live in the Black Hills for 16 years. They had two children, Nelsa Ann and Grayson Lee. Victoria worked in the family grocery store and in retail clothing sales. In 1946 she accepted a position with Montgomery Wards in Miles City. She was married to Harry Herndon Taggart in 1947. Two daughters, Mary Melita and Elna Miriam were born of this union. Harry and Victoria had a blended family including Harrys children, Roberta and Gene.
Her career in retail sales continued at Vaughn Ragsdale where she managed the womans apparel and yard goods departments. A member of the Assembly of God Church, she was active in the Womens Missionary Council and taught Sunday School. She welcomed neighborhood children into her home for weekly Child Evangelism Bible Clubs. She assisted in organizing a Bible Club summer camp held in the Pine Hills. Reaching out to people of other faiths, she and Harry were active in a charismatic Bible study and prayer group. Victoria cared for her mother for many years, being a role model for her daughters. She made many lifetime friends who enriched the fabric of her life.
After her husband's death she moved to Eugene, Oregon, to be near her daughter, Melita Green. Victoria lived in Oregon for 20 years where she continued making friends and enjoying life. She joined the Sunshine Singers, a seniors choir, that presented theme concerts in area care facilities. She faithfully attended the YaPoAh Terrace chapel. Victoria enjoyed traveling to the Oregon Coast and Central Oregon. In 2006, she moved to Minnesota to be near her daughter, Elna Tims. She enjoyed being included in family activities. Pets were joyous companions throughout her life. Wherever Victoria lived, her essence was family-oriented. She cherished her children and their spouses, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She always expressed concern for individual family members and was an unceasing prayer warrior. She faithfully corresponded with family and friends far and near. Hospitality and generosity were character qualities which drew people to her. Hot tea and good food were always ready. She always had a flair for style and color. Inner beauty was evident in her positive outlook and on her face. Gratefulness was a regular part of her daily rapport.
She is survived by son Grayson (Carol) Brakke of Big Timber, MT, daughters Melita (Richard) Green of Eugene, OR, Elna (Alan) Tims of St. Cloud, MN, stepdaughter Roberta (David) Barger of Denver, CO., stepson Gene (Beverly) Taggart of Polson, MT; 15 grandchildren, Pat (Steve) Arant, Karen (Steve) Gordon, Lee Brakke, Kyriaki and Philip Green, Rachel (Josh) Haake, Peter, Melody, and Andrea Tims, Larry (Mary Lou) Barger, Twila (Doug) Randolph, Sybil (Tim) Peterson, Mitch (Julia) Taggart, Tim (Jodi) Taggart, Deone Benninghoven; 22 great-grandchildren, Shelby, Sidney, and Danny Arant, Wesley Tims, Liam Haake, Simon, Shalom and Selah Barger, Shawn and Brett Randolph, Andy, Nick, and Tyler Peterson, Sheree (Shawn) Daniel, Brittany, Megan, Ben Taggart, Bridgette (Paul) Huber, Roman Benninghoven; 5 great-great grandchildren, Abigail Peterson, Emmy Kate Peterson, Aundrea and Trinity Huber, Anna Barger.
She was preceded in death by her father Gray, mother Anna, husband's Alfred and Harry, daughter Nelsa, and daughter-in-law Sally Taggart. May her memory be eternal.
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