Kathryn "Kathy" Daane, R.N., MSN, died Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Rapid City, SD.

Kathryn donated her body to the University of SD School of Medicine. Interment will eventually follow at the Black Hills National Cemetery.

Kathy was born March 18, 1935, in Faith, South Dakota, to Vernon and Evelyn (Armour) Donnenwirth, who operated the Gamble's store in Faith for many years. She attended K-12 in Faith, graduating as valedictorian of the Class of 1953, followed by St. John McNamara School of Nursing in Rapid City, graduating in 1956. She completed her Bachelor of Science in nursing at South Dakota State University in 1961, and her Master of Science in nursing from Texas Women's University in 1981.

Kathy worked in nursing for the Department of Veteran's Affairs her entire career, beginning as a staff nurse at Fort Meade in 1957, working her way through various positions to the Chief Nurse position there from 1984-86. After her children were raised, she transferred to Harry S. Truman Hospital in Columbia, MO, where she was selected to be the first nurse in the VA system to serve as an Associate Hospital Director, from 1986-91. She culminated her career as the senior nurse executive at one of the VA's largest facilities, Edward Hines Hospital in Chicago, from 1991-1995, when she retired, and returned to the family home in Sturgis. During her years in Columbia and Chicago, Kathy also served 8 years (1987-95) on the VA's Midwestern Region Planning Board and the Regional Nurse Advisory Committee. Upon her retirement in 1995, the U. S. Secretary of Veteran's Affairs presented her with the VA's Distinguished Career Award.

Kathy wed Robert (Bob) Daane on August 17, 1957, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis, and their family enjoyed their nearly 57-year marriage until Bob died on May 11, 2016. After their retirements, Kathy and Bob enjoyed their cabin in Vanocker Canyon, winters in Mesa, AZ, and their many "family things".

Kathy is survived by her children, Dr. Janelle (Jeff) Rogers of Nashville, and their daughter May; son, James (Tami) Daane of Sioux City, and their children, Dr. Nicholas (Gabriella) Daane, Jillian (Michael) Hixson, and Brooke Daane; and son, Jeffrey (Lori) Daane of Rapid City, and their children Sydney (Lane) Schroeder and Benjamin (Laura) Daane, and 5 great-grandchildren, Eleanor, James and George Hixson, and Theodore and Kaia Daane.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents; her two brothers, Richard and Wayne; and a grandson, Christopher Daane.

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