Madge Tatum died peaceful on Monday, April 16, 2018 at the age of 94. She was born Madge Beth West on October 12, 1923 to David Waldemar West and Elva Vilate Adams in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Here she spent her childhood years growing up on her father’s farm as the youngest of nine children.
She graduated from Pleasant Grove High School before moving to Salt Lake City where she attended the LDS Business College and worked in a munitions factory to help with the World War II effort. While in Salt Lake City she met Arthur Paul Wikle from Georgia. They were married in Salt Lake City on March 7, 1943.
Paul was killed shortly thereafter on June 15, 1943 while on an Army training flight in New Mexico prior to being sent into active combat. After Paul’s death, Madge enlisted in the United States Navy on October 20, 1943 as a WAVE assigned to the Pacific Fleet and was stationed at Pearl Harbor. During her time in the US Navy she fell in love with and married William Ira Tatum (Bill) who was an officer in the US Army Air Corps.
They were married in Long Beach, California on June 25, 1946 and eventually settled in Fresno, California and raised a loving family. They had 12 children, eight of whom lived to adulthood. Madge was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.
She always put her family before herself and was always the friend who was willing to go the extra mile to be of service to others. Her home was the place where bridal and baby showers, holiday parties, and guests were enjoyed. She was a woman of faith and served in many leadership positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints–as a Stake Primary President, ward Relief Society president, and ward Primary president.
However, she often mentioned that one of her favorite experiences was working with the Cub Scout program and creating fun activities for the boys in her Cub Scout den. Madge was preceded in death by four sons: James, Richard, Gary and Dennis who each died shortly after premature births. Her beloved husband, Bill, died on November 23, 1998.
Madge is survived by eight of her children and their spouses: Susan (Dave) McCrary, Shirley (Ron) Hales, Cheryl (Steven) Stoker, Cathy (Randy) Jones, Stephen Tatum, Brian (Migdalia Ponce de Leon), Patricia (Bob) Eastin and Michael (Susan Howell). Madge was the proud grandmother of 29 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren. A graveside service will be held Monday, April 23, 2018 at 1:30 pm at the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery, 700 North 100 West, Pleasant Grove, Utah.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www. olpinmortuary.com.
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