Ralph "Butch" Tagesen

Ralph Martin Tagesen, 82, of Clear Lake, passed away Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City. Per Ralph’s wishes, he has been cremated, and services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the family of Ralph Tagesen.

Ralph Martin Tagesen, known by his family and friends as Butch, was born on July 4, 1941, in Mason City, to his parents Martin E. and Hazelle (Mayo) Tagesen. Butch attended Harding Elementary and Monroe Jr. High and graduated from Mason City High School in 1959. After graduation, he went to NIACC for two years and received his associate’s degree. 

Butch was united in marriage to Frances Burger on November 4, 1962, at First United Methodist Church in Mason City. To this union, two children were born: Tammy Christine and Martin Laurell. 

 After graduation at NIACC, Butch went to work at White’s in Charles City for a few years, but he eventually came home to work with his dad at Tagesen Construction. He took over the family business in 1975, doing different contracting work for several companies. During that time, he also taught building trades at NIACC for several years, something he thoroughly enjoyed doing. After many years of hard work, Butch retired in 2005. 

 In his free time, Butch kept busy in his shop. He loved to build things; he was an avid woodworker and loved to restore old cars. He was incredibly proud of his 1928 Model A and 1931 Model T. He was known for being a jack of all trades and could fix anything! In his early years, Butch and Frannie loved to take road trips to look for old cars. He was an avid fisherman and loved to collect trains.

 Butch will be forever remembered for his hard-working spirit, his stubborn attitude, and his love for Frannie’s cookies. He loved his children and grandchildren dearly, and he loved to take them to the movies, the park and trips to Cabela’s. Butch was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, and he will be greatly missed by those who knew him and loved him. 

 Butch is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Frannie Tagesen; children, Tammy Tagesen and Martin (Jodi) Tagesen; grandchildren, Ashley and Willow (Grant Lee) Tagesen, and TJ Bryant; great grandchildren, Ariel Jane and Hazelle Ellen Tagesen; sisters, Marie True and Mary Ann Chapin; and sisters-in-law, Marilyn Tagesen and Ilene (Bob) Abbas. 

 Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Hazelle Tagesen; brother, Lloyd Tagesen; sister, Virginia Tagesen; and brother-in-law, Gary Chapin.