Mabel “Tot” Loftin Hannum, (Mrs. M.J. Hannum, Sr.) died April 20, 1971 at the home of her son, Thomas in Brigham City, Utah at age 80.

She was born July 26, 1890 at Hildreth, Illinois to Melville and Iola Hoover Loftin. She graduated from Olney High School in Olney, Illinois in 1908, where she was senior class president and editor-in-chief of the “Olney Growler”. She graduated from Marion Normal School, Marion, Indiana and attended the University of Indiana.

Mrs. Hannum, with her older sister, Gretchen, homesteaded near Moorcroft in 1916 and taught in many different schools in the area.  After proving their homesteads, she moved to Long Beach, California and established a private school, but returned to Wyoming circa 1917 and resumed teaching.

She was married to Dr. Marshall J. Hannum, Sr. on May 22, 1923 in Gillette. To this union were born two sons, Dr. Marshall (Jerry) Hannum, Jr. who preceded her in death on January 12, 1971 and Dr. Thomas L. Hannum of Brigham City, Utah.

Mrs. Hannum continued substitute teaching after her marriage, in both grade schools and high school for over 30 years, teaching in every grade from kindergarten through high school.

She was on the original library board in Gillette, established in 1928 and served six consecutive three year terms, acting as president of that board her last two terms. It was largely through her efforts that the movement to build the George Amos Memorial Library was accomplished.

Mrs. Hannum was a charter member of the PEO organization in Gillette and served a term as president of that organization.

Other than her son, Thomas L., she is survived by six grandchildren, Shelley E. Hannum, Thomas J. Hannum, Marshall Anthony-Ian Hannum, Marsha T. Hannum, Marshall J. Hannum and Molly Gretchen Hannum and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Hannum, Sr. and her son, Dr. Hannum, Jr.

Interment in Mt. Pisgah Cemetery, Gillette.

Information provided by Pete Weber,  Class of '63