Also known as, Tatum Tots, TT, Potato, Potatum, Tater tot, and Tate, at the age 21 months, she passed in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at the Omaha Clarkson Tower Transplant Center she passed due to liver failure caused by MMIHS.
Tatum was born Friday, November 5th, 2021, in Rapid City, SD, to Chase Hamling and Ashley Guthrie, and her sister, Aubree Engel, family dog, Odin, lived in Sturgis, SD, and second home Children’s Hospital of Colorado.
In life Tatum loved to be outdoors with her family. She enjoyed throwing frisbee with her parents and sister with bubbles blowing in the background. She enjoyed watching Elmo, Sesame Street, and Miss Rachel who helped Tatum learn over 60-70 words. Her language was scored at 120. Tatum defied the laws of science. She broke barriers of MMIHS, it never defined her. Tatum had a way of stealing the hearts of those she came in contact with and leaving love and hope in its place. Tatum was a fighter. She was born fighting, lived fighting and passed away fighting. She had a strong will that conquered every challenge. Even at her age she met milestones that she was never supposed to reach. She amazed the world around her with her strength. Tatum taught those around her that a disability can not define you. She taught those around her that no matter how hard life is you can always make it through with a smile and a kiss. She loved her family deeply. She loved dancing and cuddling with her family. Reconnecting her to her TPN was bonding and brought her entire family together. She loved playing in her ball pit, grabbing each one and informing of which color she had. She liked to repeat anything and everything that was said. Even though she would misinterpret things like brush teeth into butt cheeks. She brought a light into her home that you felt as you walked in the door. She loved her nurses and they did the upmost care for her. She bonded with them well and understood that that love was returned. While inpatient she enjoyed the company of her aunt, Kari who went above and beyond the call of Aunt duty and stayed by her side throughout every hospital stay. They had a bond of pure love and compassion. Whenever meeting someone new, Tatum usually greeted them with “bye bye!” And a wave of her hand and a kiss to finish off. Tatum made many friends her age. She loved her cousins and kids she’s pass by in the hallways of the hospitals. She even had a crush and made sure to tell everyone she loved Abel. As a family we would go around in a circle saying “I love Tatum” each time we would change saying who we loved. 9 times out of 10 Tatum would always say her Dada or Abel. Tatum loved to go shopping and waved at everyone she passed by, occasionally blowing a kiss to other shoppers. Her favorite toys where her blue pup, Elmo, and Cookie Monster, that she slept with every night. When going to bed she had to say good night to everyone who was home and even if you were just a lamp or blue ball, you also received a good night kiss.
Tatum is survived by her parents, Chase Hamling and Ashley Guthrie; her sister, Aubree Engel; her grandparents, Stephen (Carolyn), Amy (Jim), Laura (Stephen), and Ricky (Angelica); great- grandparents, Greg, Jim, Virginia (Don), Dave (Karen), and Sophie; great-great-grandparent, Carolyn; her aunts and uncles, Kenzie (Skye), Garret (Brenda), Vanessa (Wade, Sloan, Drew), Alyssa (Riley, Lily, Sophie, Everleigh), Ricki (Jesse), Holden, Hunter, James (Lincoln), Kelly (Darrell, Kari), Alex, Gregory (Lauren), Gabe, and Bella.
Tatum is preceded in death by Bill Kubisiak, Elaine Guthrie, Bruce (Grace) Weisz, and Robert Hamling.
As a family we thank Children’s Hospital of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Black Hills Pediatrics, Universal Pediatrics, Monument Pediatric floor, Monument Home Health and Hospice, Sturgis birth to 3, Omaha UNMC Transplant Center, and Option care Nebraska. We thank our nurses and doctors who fought alongside Tatum and gave the best medical care and love there is to offer. As a team we gave Tatum the most beautiful life possible. But most of all Thank you Dr. Gumer and GI team for endless hours of dedication.
Visitation services will be 4-7 PM Mountain time on Friday, September 1, 2023, at Kinkade Funeral and Chapel in Sturgis, SD.
We will be celebrating Tatum’s life on November 5, 2023. More details to follow once we plan more.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
