Anthony "Tony" Robert Taufen

Childhood

On August 14, the world became a lot quieter, and a lot less entertaining. It is with deep sadness and tremendous love that we remember Tony Taufen, who passed away at the age of 63.

Tony entered the world on June 27th 1963, in South St. Paul The second youngest of nine siblings, he quickly perfected the art of getting his older brothers and sisters in trouble while watching safely from afar with a smirk. And when he wasn't doing that, he had no problem finding trouble all on his own.

Like the time he stole a go-kart and gave it to his friend as a birthday present.

When his dad found out, Tony did what any completely innocent child would do: he pretended to be asleep in the middle of the day.

Career & Work

Tony grew up in a close-knit family in South St. Paul. His dad, Larry Taufen, co-owned & operated the Haas Livestock firm alongside his brother, Albert (Al) Taufen, during the prime "heyday" years of the South St. Paul Stockyards, which sparked Tony's dedicated, decades-long career with O & S Cattle.

Personality & Talents

Tony had a way of making life feel bigger, louder, and a whole lot more fun. Whether he was working on cars, swapping stories, helping a friend, or giving someone a hard time in the way only he could, Tony was unmistakably Tony. He was one of a kind: generous, funny, protective, and deeply loved.

From day one, Tony had a rare gift for turning strangers into friends, telling stories that somehow got better, every time he told them, and figuring out how to build, fix, or improve just about anything. If there was a problem, he could solve it. If there was a project, he could make it run. And if there was an audience, he could make them laugh.

He was truly a master of his craft in the garage, where he spent countless hours bringing his ideas to life. From his Chevelle SS, to a huge fish house, to his final project, a '79 Malibu, every build carried his fingerprints, his pride, and plenty of "just one more thing" adjustments. They were labors of love, and if you knew Tony, you knew a project was never really finished until he said it was.

In every part of his life, Tony left his mark. Not simply through the things he built, fixed, or drove, but through the laughter he created, the stories he shared, and the people he loved so fiercely.

He lived with grit, humor, and a heart that showed up for others in ways both big and small. To know Tony was to have a story about him, a laugh because of him, and a place in his life that somehow felt uniquely your own.

Tony will be remembered for his sense of humor, his loyalty, his generosity, and his unwavering dedication to the family and friends he loved so deeply.

Family & Grandchildren

He was a fierce protector of his family, and some of his proudest moments came from being a father and grandfather. His grandchildren brought out a softer side of him, though of course Tony still made sure they knew who was in charge.

Whether he was fixing a broken toy or sneaking an extra treat, his heart was entirely gold.

Children's Tribute

As his children, we are grateful for a lifetime of hugs, hard-earned wisdom, laughter, and a love strong enough to carry through generations.

Your job as our dad shaped who we have become. Your role as their grandpa made our lives brighter.

And this is our promise to you: you will be engraved into every part of their lives as they grow. They will know the sound of your laughter through the stories we share. They will know how fiercely you loved them.

Final Lap

In true Tony fashion, when the high-horsepower rides had to take a back seat due to declining health, he simply upgraded to a motorized scooter.

He treated that chair less like medical equipment and more like one of his custom builds: something to steer with pride, personality, and maybe just a little attitude.

Here lies a man who gave life everything he had, running on fumes, stubbornness, horsepower, and the strong love for his entire family.

The engine may be quiet now & the road may have ended, but the memories he built will run forever.

We will gather to celebrate Tony's life and share our fondest memories and stories on October 11. 2026 from Noon-4p at Genesis Ranch 13273 Pine Bend Trail, Rosemount, MN.