Berton "Bert" E. Tagg

Berton E. Tagg, long-time Sioux City educator and administrator died Saturday, July 3^rd, 2021, at home with family by his side.

Memorial services will be held at Whitfield Methodist Church (1319 W 5^th St) at 2:00pm, Saturday, July 24^th, 2021 (with Rev Liz Tucker officiating).

He was born May 22,1926 in Sioux City, son of Elwyn & Myrtle (Lawrence) Tagg. He attended Sioux City schools and graduated from Central High School in 1944. He went into Navy Pre-Flight program following his graduation. He was discharged after World War II. He received his Bachelors’ degree from Morningside College and his Masters/Plus degrees from the University of South Dakota.

He started his teaching /coaching career at Ute, IA and on to Westfield IA for 3 years as a teacher and Freshman coach. He then was employed by Sioux City Public Schools as a teacher for 10 years and coach for 37 years. He was an Elementary Principal the last 26 of those years, retiring from Clark Elementary School. He also served as the Interim Physical Education Coordinator for the last 5 of those years.

He married Shirley Foreman in 1947 at First Covenant Church and they celebrated 74 years together.

He was active in sports and enjoyed golfing, fishing, and spending winters in Arizona. He loved working outdoors during his retirement years. He was an active sports official for 25 years in the Siouxland area. He was on the Track Relay Team for Central High School and his Two/mile relay team won the State Relay in 1944. He played football for the University of Dubuque and ran in the Drake Relays for the Navy team.

He served on the Sioux City Public Library Board for 8 years, during which time they built the Morningside Branch Library.

He was a member of Abu Bekr Shrine, the Shrine Chanters, Sioux City Consistory, Landmark Lodge, and the Royal Order of Jesters.

He was a life member of Whitfield Methodist Church where he served on many boards and committees during his 90+ years membership.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley, two daughters; Sue Whitehead and her husband Dave of Denver; Lori Snow of Sioux City, two grandsons Adam and Ben Whitehead of Denver, one brother, Larry, of Tucson, AZ; several nieces and nephews, and a dear friend Donna Dwyer.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Muriel and Averill, and his son, Robert.

Memorials: Whitfield Methodist Church, and Abu Bekr Shrine Children’s Hospital.