Clarence G. Taber, 83

Clarence G. Taber, 83, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Aug. 24, 2026, and will be truly missed by his wife and family and many others. He never met a stranger.

Clarence led a very colorful life. He grew up in Ronan on a cattle ranch with black Angus, sheep, chickens and ducks. He moved cattle from one pasture to another as 14 miles apart, no horse but on foot. That’s how he got his love for apples; he knew where every apple tree was along the way. He and his brother milked cows and pitched tons of hay.

Clarence went to school in Ronan from grade school through high school, where he graduated. He thought about going to Vietnam but ended up at the door of the Forest Service in Missoula, where they needed strong, young men. They paid for his schooling in Missoula for engineering, surveying and design. He was expected to reopen the CCC camps, but plans changed with President Kennedy.

Clarence spent 34 years with the Forest Service in Helena, Kalispell, Spotted Bear, Hungry Horse and Glacier View offices in the engineering department, surveying logging roads, campgrounds, etc. But he took every detail that came along, fighting forest fires all over the western United States. He took flood damage detail in New Mexico, but mostly fire details that took him to many states.

During his time with the Forest Service, Clarence opened his dirt bike Hodaka shop in Kalispell in the '60s and was able to compete in many dirt bike races and win many trophies.

Prospecting for gold was one of the most fun adventures, which led to a house in Arizona and a gold mine cabin near Bannack.

Clarence was an entrepreneur with endless energy. He started the snowmobile club, Montana’s for Multiple Use, the Northwest Montana Gold Prospectors’ Club (NWMGP) and the Columbia Falls Historical Society and was still active in several of these in his later years.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Jill; daughters Laurie Kutz, Marsha DeBuff, Karlene Waltman; sons Chad Taber and Zachary Jacobson; daughter-in-law, Aimee Jacobson; seven grandchildren; his sister, Evelyn Tusler; brother-in-law Harold Tusler; his brother Marvin Taber; his sister-in-law, Marie Taber; and many nieces and nephews.

Clarence and Jill enjoyed many, many wonderful adventures from Alaska to Arizona and many in Montana.

Clarence’s faith and his zest for life have carried him through many difficult times, but he always remained positive, caring and humorous.

 A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 14 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Columbia Falls, followed by a reception in their fellowship hall.