Ivan Ern Tidwell

Ivan Ern Tidwell passed away October 11, 2022 while his eldest daughter was near him in the next room.

 

He is survived by his children and their spouses: Dru Tidwell and Kerry Fletcher, Eric Ivan and Colleen Tidwell, Jeffrey Lee Tidwell and Amy Tidwell, Paige Tidwell Kenney and Morton Alexander. He is also survived by his 15 grandchildren and 25 great- grandchildren. As Jeff says “ he was deeply religious and loved his Mormon heritage. He was a devoted husband, an amazing father and a friend to all. “

 

Born February 16, 1923 in Wellington, Utah he was a hard worker all his life. The catalogue of his early occupations include cowherd (starting at age five with his older brother Clyde), gandy-dancer, dry ice plant worker and surveyor. He graduated from Carbon High School and was drafted into the army. He served in the forestry unit and drove trucks. He often described his duty as “behind the Battle of the Bulge” within hearing range of the battle. His responsibilities included estimating board feet of lumber per acre for rebuilding bombed bridges. Returning from the war, he served an LDS mission in Arkansas and Kansas.

Then, he then used the G.I. bill to attend B.Y.U and obtain a B.A. in Economics. At the “Y” he met his soulmate, Betty Jean Jenkins and married her April 27, 1951. They remained deeply in love for the rest of their lives. Betty passed away October 14, 2015.

 

After moving to Salt Lake he continued to work different jobs including taxi driver, high school math instructor and substitute teacher, Fuller brush salesman and postal worker; until he found his career as a contract negotiator with security clearance for the D.O.D. At this time he moved his wife and four children to California. Through a special early retirement program, he retired and moved back to Utah. After retirement he continued working at Midstate in Nephi. He also remodeled and restored two houses in Nephi while enjoying other hobbies; travel, golfing, gardens, dancing with Betty and helping his children and grandchildren in innumerable ways.

 

Ivan was always an active, faithful, obedient member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a home teacher, in the Elder’s quorum and in the bishop’s storehouse. He was also a lifelong ardent Democrat. His story-telling was compared by one person to the narrative skill of Mark Twain. Those stories will always be remembered and retold by his children. His greatest legacies are his unflagging, undying, unconditional love and his zest for life. He brought modesty, patience, good sense, diligence, exuberance, kindness, and humor to everything he did. He taught by example. His memory will be treasured as a source of comfort and joy.

 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel at 3050 No. Mohave Lane, Provo, Utah. There will be a viewing beginning at 9:30 am. Ivan will be buried in the Wellington Cemetery following the services.