Together again, our beloved mother, grandmother, and sister, has departed this life to join her life long companion, Joe. Mildred Annie Otteson Wanlass Mecham, 88, passed away December 30, 1999 at the Alpine Valley Care Center in Pleasant Grove, Utah from causes associated with age.
Mildred was born in Sanford, Colorado to Vern Otteson and Ruby Venina Huggard Otteson. She was still small when she came to live in American Fork with her mother. She was sealed to and raised by Samuel Edward Wanlass. "Papa Sam" raised her as if she were his own. She grew up on a small farm south of American Fork.She graduated from American Fork High School in 1929. She enjoyed going to all of her class reunions until just two years ago. In school she was active in performing arts which continued throughout her life. She was gifted with a beautiful soprano voice and was always singing at home as well as in choirs and at innumerable funerals. She sang in a trio with Affra Nelson and Margaret Gardener for many years.
She was a talented artist, working in pastels, watercolor and in particular, oils. In her art work she had a singular talent for color. Her paintings are found hanging in the homes of her posterity and friends, and in many public buildings including churches and hospitals. She gave art lessons to many in the community.
She filled several journals with her life history and poems that reflected her life. She enjoyed sewing for herself and her family. She crocheted many Afghans and quilted many quilts for her loved ones. She loved to garden and to entertain. She invited many neighborhood girls along with her granddaughters to backyard dress up tea parties. She was often asked to decorate tables at banquets. For several years on Halloween she would dress as a witch and stand in front of her home and serve hot cider, out of a black cauldron, to the trick or treaters. Many would come from all over town to see her.
She served in many organizations but especially enjoyed serving in music positions. She was a member of the Latona Music Club for many years. She was an active member of the LDS Church serving as chorister in a number of callings and as Relief Society President.
Her greatest love was her family and she was their forever fan in everything they did. She married Joseph Elam Mecham April 26, 1930 in Provo, Utah, whom she met when she went to cook for the hired help on a chicken ranch. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. Joe died in 1985.
She is survived by four sons and two daughters: Leo Jack (Joy) Mecham, serving an LDS mission in Rochester, New York; Lynn Niles (Joanne) Mecham, Garland, Utah; Crosby E. (Janet) Mecham, Samuel Robert (Kathy) Mecham, both of American Fork; Nina Josephine Mecham Clark, Salt Lake City; Karen Lillian Mecham (Michael) Johnson, Pleasant Grove; 30 grandchildren; 71 great-grandchildren; and one great great-granddaughter. Also, two sisters, Beth (Jack) Cook; Pleasant Grove; MaryAnn (Bruce) Andrews, American Fork; three brothers: Arthur (Nellie) Otteson, Sanford, Colorado; Lynn Otteson, Tonapaw, Nevada; and Lee (Barbara) Otteson, Alamosa, Colorado. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe; three brothers: Samuel Wanlass, Darrel Wanlass, Eugene Otteson; a sister, Phyllis Otteson; a son, Jerem David Mecham; three grandsons, William Joseph Mecham, Samuel David Mecham, Christopher David Johnson; and a great grandson, Clayton Hansen.
Funeral Services will be Tuesday, January 4, 2000 at 11 a.m. in the American Fork 18th Ward, 381 South 300 East. Friends may call at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, Monday 6 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday at the Church one hour prior to services. Burial will be in the Nephi City Cemetery at 3 p.m.