Kisione Ofahemo'oni Taufa

Kisione Ofahemo’oni Taufa, 79, passed away peacefully at his Ogden home on Saturday, November 11, 2023 of natural causes. Kisione was born on September 20, 1944 in Tongatapu, Tonga to Inoke Taufa and Teisa Finau Tai.

Kisione married Patiola Tuitamala Tauteoli on September 9, 1967 in Laie, Hawaii.

He is survived by his eight children, Patsi Jensen (Daryl), Pulotu Lavaka, Aida Loo (Todd), Teisa Lavaka, Sini Bittle, Inoke Taufa (Tammy), Mosese Taufa (Laura), and Hazel Pinto (Rigo); 26 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Patiola; grandson, Nene Tevita Ka’ilikoa Lavaka; great-grandson, Mosese Davidson; parents, Inoke Taufa and Finau Tai Taufa; sister, Haiasini Taufa; brother, ‘Ofa He Fonua Taufa.

Kisione and Patiola raised their family in Hawaii, later settled in California in 1996, finally settling in Utah in 2009.

A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kisione served as a Bishop in Hawaii and also enjoyed serving on the High Council. While a Bishop, the youth were his focus. He was a great leader and truly embodied the love of the Savior in magnifying his calling.

Kisione loved to serve and was always busy helping others. He was a General Contractor and was quite handy, fixing anything and everything his family and friends needed.

One of his hobbies included gardening. He earned the nickname of “Farmer John”. In Hawaii, he had a farm full of tropical fruits and vegetables. In California, he was proud of his taro plants, sugar cane, ti leaf plants, plumeria and roses. Here in Utah he was very proud of his many fruit trees and loved when his grandchildren would come to pick from them. He had an immaculate yard, was an avid watcher of Westerns, and was a huge fan of Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal, and Tom Selleck, among others, but he didn’t spend much time sitting down.

Kisione will be remembered most for his work ethic, his selfless giving nature, and leadership skills.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Ogden City Cemetery.

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