Helen Katherine Lee

Helen Katherine Daum Lee, 96, of Cheyenne, Wyoming, passed away on September 12, 2026, following a long and remarkable life filled with family, faith, music, friendship and love. Helen was born August 27, 1930, in Independence, Kansas, the daughter of Karl Ferdinand Daum and Katherine Margaret Fienen Daum. Her father was a German immigrant who eventually established the Daum Upholstery Shop in Independence. Her mother was born and raised in Independence and came from a family with deep roots in the Lutheran faith. Helen grew up in Independence and went on to train as a nurse. Treasured family photographs preserve the image of a young Helen proudly wearing her traditional nurse's uniform and cap. While the details of her nursing education and career have been lost to time, caring for others would remain a theme throughout her life. 

On August 24, 1958, Helen married Dr. Donald Thiell Lee, a native of nearby Neodesha, Kansas. Donald had served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict and later pursued a distinguished career in public health. Following their marriage, Helen and Donald began their life together in Kansas and later spent time in Denver, Colorado, where their sons, Karl Alan and Eric Grant, were born. Their journey also took them to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, while Donald pursued graduate studies in public health. In 1968, the Lee family settled in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the community Helen would call home for nearly six decades. Donald went on to serve for 20 years as Wyoming's Director of Public Health Laboratories. 

Helen created a home and life in Cheyenne centered around family, church, music and friendships. Music was a special part of Helen and Donald's life together. Both were talented musicians, and music became intertwined with their family, faith and community life. Helen sang in the choir and played the organ during the early years of King of Glory Lutheran Church, while Donald was also an accomplished musician and at one time a member of the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra. Helen and Donald were charter members of King of Glory Lutheran Church, which began as a mission-planted congregation in north Cheyenne. Helen's involvement in the church became an important and enduring part of her life. Her music reached beyond the walls of the church. Helen could often be found playing the piano for residents of Cheyenne-area nursing homes, sharing something she loved with people who could enjoy it with her. Music remained with Helen throughout her life. 

In her later years, when she became a resident of Life Care, friends from King of Glory would visit at Christmas and Easter to sing with her. Even then, Helen still knew all the words to the favorite hymns she had sung throughout her life. Helen possessed a keen intelligence and a wonderful sense of humor. She loved to read and remained intellectually curious throughout her life. Friends remember her as kind and generous, with a ready smile and a compliment for everyone she met. She had a way of making others feel noticed and appreciated.  Family visits to Cheyenne created memories that lasted a lifetime, from outings among the remarkable rock formations of Vedauwoo to the excitement and traditions of Cheyenne Frontier Days. For Helen's nieces and nephews, those Wyoming adventures became part of the special memories of time spent with Aunt Helen and Uncle Bud. Animals also held a special place in Helen's heart. Her beloved pets over the years included Golden Retrievers Oliver and Henry and her cat, Bucky, who were very much members of the family. 

Helen experienced profound loss during her long life. Donald, her beloved husband of more than 43 years, died on February 8, 2002. More than two decades later, Helen endured the heartbreaking loss of both of her sons within little more than a year. Eric Grant Lee died November 1, 2024, at age 60. An accomplished artist and beloved Cheyenne art teacher, Eric had also provided devoted care to his mother for many years. Her son Karl Alan Lee died December 12, 2025, at age 64. Karl spent 22 years working at Laramie County Community College and remained close to his mother throughout his life. 

Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Donald Thiell Lee; her sons, Eric Grant Lee and Karl Alan Lee; her parents, Karl Ferdinand and Katherine Margaret Daum; and her brothers, Ludwig Karl "Lu" Daum and Werner Ferdinand Daum. 

She is survived by her nephews, Steve (Debbie) Lee, Chris (Sachiho) Lee, and David (Karen) Daum; her niece, Sherrie Minson; and their families, as well as dear friends, neighbors and members of her church community whose friendships enriched her life during her many years in Cheyenne. 

Helen's family extends their heartfelt gratitude to her dear friends and regular visitors, Bertha Bikulcs and Sherry Pike, and to her pastor, Mark Maas. Their friendship, faithful visits and caring presence were especially meaningful during Helen's later years and following the devastating losses of her sons, Eric and Karl. For family members living far and wide, knowing that Helen continued to be surrounded by people who cared for her brought immeasurable comfort and was deeply appreciated. 

Helen's 96 years encompassed an extraordinary span of life - from her childhood in Kansas through nursing, marriage and motherhood, moves across the country, and nearly six decades in Wyoming. Through all those years, the qualities that defined Helen remained constant: her intelligence, humor, generosity, faith, love of music and devotion to family and friends. She will be remembered for her smile, her kindness, her music, her quick mind and sense of humor, and for the many ways - large and small - she made the people around her feel special. Helen will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family, friends and all whose lives she touched.