Catherine I. Elam

Resident of Lompoc, CA Catherine Irene (Bauner) Elam passed away peacefully Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at the Lompoc Comprehensive Care Center. She was born in Quincy, IL to John Carl Bauner and Myrtle Irene Nutt and was the second of three children.

Catherine spent the first four years of her life on a farm before her father moved the family to Quincy where he purchased a local market. Catherine graduated from Quincy Senior High School in 1944 and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Education in 1948 from Western Illinois State College and a Master's degree in Education in 1949 from the University of Illinois. She worked several years teaching Kindergarten before and after marrying Dr. Eldon Elam in 1954. Catherine and Eldon moved to Lompoc in 1957. In Lompoc, Catherine was an active parishioner of the First Presbyterian Church since 1958, and served as an elder, deacon, and Sunday school teacher. Catherine also volunteered her time with the Lompoc Hospital Foundation, the La Purisima Mission Docents, and the Camp Fire Organization, as a group co-leader with Karin Jamison from the time the girls were in 2nd grade through high school. Her most rewarding job, however, was being a mother to her two children and grandmother to two granddaughters. She was a devoted, loving, and caring wife of 45 years to Eldon Elam, who preceded her in death. Catherine is also preceded in death by both her parents, her brother John Bauner, sister-in law Lil Fanos and sister Ruth Bauner. She is survived by her children David (Nancy) Elam and Diane Elam; grandchildren Berit (Jon Lemke) Elam and Caitlin Elam; her nieces, Sue Dulaney and Jane Floyd; great nieces and nephews Scott (Angie) Dean, Sean (Som) Dean, Elizabeth (Timothy) Gustafson, and their families. Catherine's kindness and thoughtfulness, and her generosity in looking out for those she could help were gifts to all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, February 11, 2023, at the Cityview Community Church, 1600 Berkeley in Lompoc. The family welcomes donations to Prelado De Los Tesoros, Lompoc Hospital Foundation, Lompoc Comprehensive Care Center or a charity of your own choice in Catherine's name as an expression of sympathy.