KATHERINE ‘KATHY’ DAUM

May 20, 1947–Feb. 28, 2019
Katherine “Kathy” Daum, 71, of Spearfish, S.D., passed away on Feb. 28, 2019, at Rolling Hills Healthcare in Belle Fourche, S.D.
Katherine, daughter of Orvil and Rebecca Buchanan of Sturgis, S.D., was born in Modesto, Calif., on May 20, 1947. When she was 2 years old, they moved back to Sturgis where she grew up and graduated from Sturgis High School in 1965. In 1969, she graduated from Black Hills State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. In 1975, she received her Master’s Degree from the University of Wyoming in elementary education. On June 4, 1969, she married John Daum. For the next 35 years, she and John lived in Newcastle, Wyo., where they both taught in the public schools.
In 2004, they moved to Spearfish to retire. She was an avid musician, having played the organ at the First United Methodist Church in Newcastle and the UCC church in Spearfish for over 40 years as well as directing the church choirs for more than 35 years. 
She was also a percussionist playing with the college/community band. Her hobbies included sewing, doing crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble and spending time with her two grandchildren. Her favorite concerts were Veteran’s Day and Christmas programs. “Silent Night” was her favorite Christmas song and was included in every program. 
She is survived by her husband, John, of Spearfish; two daughters, Dr. Denise (Ryland) Byrd, audiologist of Spearfish, and Lynette Daum of Rapid City, S.D.; two grandchildren, Olivia and Micah Byrd; brothers, Robert, Paul, and Kenneth Buchanan; sisters, Patricia Hart and Ruth Rave; and many nieces and nephews. 
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, at the United Methodist Church in Sturgis. Inurnment will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Spearfish. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be given to Friends of Music at Black Hills State University, raising monies for scholarships for music students.
Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.