Obituary of Kenneth Wayne Tapper

Kenneth Wayne Tapper Age 84, passed away peacefully at home on March 20, 2024, surrounded by family.

Ken was born January 17, 1940 in Woden, Iowa to Walter and Bessie Tapper. He grew up on the family farm outside of Buffalo Center, Iowa, and graduated from Buffalo Center High School in 1957. He attended the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. 

In 1960, he moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and married Karen Klein. They had four children together, moved to Apple Valley, Minnesota and later divorced.

He began his career in 1967 with Control Data, which became Seagate. He was a respected manager for many years and retired in 2002 after 35 years 10 months & 14 days. He played on a work softball team “The Dirty Old Men” and continued to get together with many of his work buddies after retirement.

Ken met the love of his life, Arlene Joy, in 1981. They were married July 12, 1983 in Pine City, Minnesota. He was blessed to add Arlene’s two daughters to his family. They celebrated 40 years of marriage last summer.

Throughout his life he enjoyed the outdoors; hunting, fishing and camping. He would often speak of the thrill of his successful moose hunt in 1971. Ken loved teaching his children and grandchildren how to fish and hunt. He also enjoyed being at both of his lake places over the years, and fishing on the Mississippi River. 

Ken took pride in his home with Arlene in South Minneapolis. The house, lawn, vegetable and flower gardens were always well taken care of. One of his retirement joys was riding his 2005 Harley 1200 Sportster with his good friend Larry. There was never anything he couldn’t fix or do. He truly was a jack of all trades. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Arlene, both his parents, sister Darlene, and brothers-in-law Don and John. He is survived by Todd Tapper (Melody Fawcett), Dee (Robert) Hospodarsky, Kelly Tapper, Chris (Janalyn Schreiber) Tapper, Kari Yarke and Casey (Jeff) Chamberlain. 12 Grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, His sister Ardis Lande, and brothers Larry (Becky) Tapper, Bruce (Cindy) Tapper.

A  visitation will be held at 12:30 PM with memorial service at 1:00 PM and reception to follow, Friday, April 5 at the Cremation Society of MN, 4343 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis 55409.