Claudene Postert Mangum

Claudene Postert Mangum passed away peacefully, Monday, March 10, 2025. She was born June 25, 1946 in Kingman, Arizona, the daughter of Kent Pearce and Agnes Shreeve. Claudene was the 4th of 5 children.

As a child she moved around with her family, working ranches with her dad. This is where she learned her strong work ethic. When Claudene was 15 she came to live in St. Johns, Arizona with Virgie Heap and attend St. Johns High School where she graduated in May 1964.

On October 30, 1964 she married Fred Postert, who she was married to for 41 years until his passing in 2005. They raised 6 children: Virgie Postert, St. Johns; John (Marsha) Postert, Hurricane, Utah; Tara (John) Kropp, Fort Collins, Colorado; David Postert (deceased); Joshua Postert, Fort Collins, Colorado and Jean (Sara) Winters, Portland, Oregon.

On December 27, 1977 she went to work for Salt River Project in the housing department. Over the years she worked her way into a Senior Buyer and prided herself on her ability to get the parts for her guys when they needed them. She retired from SRP July 21, 2006.

Claudene had a strong testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spent many years in callings for the church. During the 1960’s and 1970’s she was a leader for the young women. From 1989-1994 she served as the Stake Young Women’s President and from 1997-2003 she was Relief Society President; a calling that she greatly treasured.

After Fred passed away she cared for his mother, Mary Jane until 2008. She then went on a mission to the Halifax, Canada Mission. On November 22, 2010 she married Lon Mangum. They were married for 8 years until he passed away.

Claudene’s life cannot be summed up by a few dates. These dates cannot capture the loving caring person that she was. In her early married life she worked for the Department of Economic Security and would often bring people home to eat and spend the night. She would tell Fred that she was building her mansion in heaven. If this was the case she must have a mansion beyond belief as she gave to many with all her heart and as often as she could.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Fred Postert and Lon Mangum, her son, David, parents, Kent and Agnes Pearce, 3 of her 4 siblings, her foster mother, Virgie Heap and her mother-in-law, Mary Jane.

She is survived by her 5 children, 10 grandchildren and 4 ½ great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held Friday, March 21, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Burnham Mortuary, St. Johns. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Downtown building, St. Johns, with visitation one hour prior.