Madelyn Tourtillott

Madelyn J. (Ayer) Tourtillott passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 8th at Nevada Regional Medical Center at the age of 94.  Madelyn was the eighth child of Ed and Julia (Wheatley) Ayer born April 8, 1926.  She attended the Reavley School for grades 1-8 and then attended Rich Hill High School graduating with the Class of 1944.

While in high school she met Everett Tourtillott, and they were married on September 14, 1944.  Everett was shipped off to basic training in Long Beach, California, and Madelyn moved to Illinois to live with his parents until housing could be arranged on base.  Madelyn then traveled by train to join Everett in California later that year – it was an adventure of a lifetime. On December 6, 1945, their first child, Lyle was born. Following Everett’s stint in the Navy, the couple returned to the Bates County area to live and raise their family.  To this union, five other children were born: Gary, Edwin, Kenneth, Marilyn, and Linda. Madelyn was a stay-at-home mother until she took a job with the Metz School District as a cook.

Madelyn was known for her baking skills – especially her pies.  She was a member of the Rich Hill United Methodist Church and was involved in UMW.  She also enjoyed serving as a volunteer at the Kern Center and was a member of a local Pinochle Club. Madelyn loved for grandkids to visit and would spend hours playing games or putting together puzzles with them. She also loved spending time with her sisters who were her best friends. Madelyn was preceded in death by her husband Everett, her parents, all nine of her siblings, her two oldest sons, Lyle and Gary, her son-in-law Leon Lowe, and granddaughter Stacey.

She is survived by four children, Edwin Tourtillott and wife Pam, Kenneth Tourtillott and wife Brenda, Marilyn (Tourtillott) Lowe, and Linda Tourtillott.  Madelyn has 14 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great- grandchildren.  Madelyn was a very sweet person and will be greatly missed by many.