Elda Marie Pope Thatcher Lewis Hatch was born January 29, 1924 to Orlan Clinton Pope and Leona Marie Jacobson. She passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was married and sealed to George Alma Thatcher on March 10, 1944, the only man that didn’t flinch at her determination to have a dozen children. She was his devoted wife for over 41 years.
They had many adventures as a large family on an educator’s income. She was not a stranger to tough times and was a master of stretching her resources. Sewing and cooking, baking and gardening, nursing and counseling, her posterity marvels at her successes. Through the Grace of God, she was allowed to raise all twelve of her children to adulthood.
She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She blessed the lives of the doubtless thousands she came in contact with. Her most recent calling and very dear to her, was a temple worker in the Provo temple, where her own widowed mother served for many years.
After her beloved George, eternal companion and father of her children passed away on January 16, 1985, she was reunited with and married Orton Eugene Lewis. An old beau from her youth and a widower, he gladly assumed the mantle as her companion and they were soon off on adventures of their own. After over 22 years of marriage, Gene passed away in early 2010.
The Lord saw fit to bless Elda with a third husband in Max Ossmen Hatch, her high school sweetheart. They were blissfully married for almost two years prior to his passing in 2012.
Preceded in death by her husbands: George Alma Thatcher, Orton Eugene Lewis, Max Ossmen Hatch, her daughter: Irene Richmond Brooksby Allen, and her son: Wilford Kent Thatcher.
Survived by siblings: Arnold (LuAnn), Amy (Bud) Wernz, and Charlie (Susan) and children: Marian Chariat aka Rosemary, Dennis L (MaryLu), Eldon G (Louise), Tom N (Reme), Rebecca Nokes Thatcher, Janet (Jeff) Labrum, Orlan R (Karen), Ted W (Cheryln), Clinton D (Karen), Jim E (Sarah), Heide Shriver, and Sandra (Roy) Powell, 51 grandchildren, 56 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
An evening visitation will be held Tuesday, March 19, 2019 from 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 2 pm with a visitation one hour prior. Services will be located at Freedom 4th Ward, 835 South 500 West, Provo, Utah.
Interment will be at Provo City Cemetery
