Katie Saum passed away on Saturday June 20, 2015 in the arms of her beloved daughter Nancy in Jacksonville, OR.

Katie was born Katherine Sotelo in Montecito, CA March 22, 1926 to Lena Cordero Herrera Sotelo and Martin Sotelo of Santa Barbara, CA.

Katie is a descendant of the Cordero Family who were one of the founding families of Santa Barbara County California.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband James Lee Saum, and brothers Ignacio, Charlie, Cornelius and Martin Sotelo.

Katie was a loving wife and mother. She leaves behind her devoted daughters Nancy Saum Hough ( Bruce) of Jacksonville, Oregon and daughter Katherine Woods (Homer) of Redding, CA. Grandchildren Alison Beynon (John), great granddaughters Stella and Delilah, Christopher O'Connor (Angela) great grandchildren Michael, Angelina and Alexis, Christie Montelongo (Jaime) great grandchildren Ava and Jack, Neal Governor (Danielle) great grandson Trent, and Scott Governor (Veronica) and great grandchildren Lucas and Audrey.

Katie is also survived by her sisters Gabriela Garcia of Campbell, CA, Annie Mooney of Baltimore, MD and Monica Reynon of Soledad, CA and numerous nieces and nephews.

Katie lived in Santa Barbara until the death of her father. She moved to Lompoc as a teenager. It was at the corner drug store where she met the love of her life James Lee Saum a soldier in the US Army stationed at Camp Cook. They fell in love and were married a short six months later on October 31, 1948. First came daughter Kathy followed by daughter Nancy. Katie was a devoted mother to her two young daughters and the wife of a career Army soldier.

Together with her family she traveled and lived in Fort Ord, CA, Augusta, Georgia, Burlington and Ft Dix, NJ, Fort Richardson, Alaska, Fort Ord, CA and back to Lompoc, CA in 1966 where she lived until 2014.

When her grandchildren started arriving, Katie was in seventh heaven. She doted on the babies as they grew into the wonderful adults they are today. Then it started all over again when the great grandchildren started coming into the world. She just loved her babies.

Katie had a soft spot for the family dogs we had growing up. She would baby them as if they were one of her own babies when no one was looking.

She had a sixth sense about things in life. Always calling to check on us at just the right time. She sensed the Big Alaska Quake was coming and it did. She had quite a lucky streak going too. She won money on the slots, bowling, football and other sports. One summer she had quite a winning streak in Wildwood, NJ winning all kinds of prizes while playing a game called SKILLO. What fun we all had watching her that week.

Katie enjoyed traveling in her RV with her late husband Jim. They belonged to the Elks RV Club. They made wonderful memories and met lifelong friends along the way.

Katie was an avid bowler. She and her husband Jim belonged to the Elks bowling league and many different bowling leagues for years which took them to tournaments throughout the country. At one time they both bowled in three different leagues. After her loving husband passed way, she continued to bowl for many years. One could never be in a hurry when Katie bowled. Once the ball hit the floor it rolled ever so slowly toward the pins while everyone held their breath. And, yes, a Strike!

She was a member of the Elks Ladies Auxiliary. Always enjoying spending time with her many lady friends.

Katie was a devout Catholic and attended Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Santa Barbara, CA until moving to Lompoc. She then became a parishioner of La Purisima Catholic Church and a member of St. Anthony's Council 41.

Anyone who knew Katie, knew she had a passion for collecting owls, beanie babies and angels.

The family wishes to thank Mom's caregivers Lisa, Cindy, Carrie, Jayme, Corrine, Mary, Vicki and Kathy for their support and loving care of our mother during her time of need. Without them, we would have been lost. We would also like to extend our gratitude to Barbara and Providence Hospice for their every kindness and patience regarding our many questions and for their excellent support and gentle care of our mom.

A loving Tribute to our Mom....My Mother A Rose " A rose so rare one of its kind, love and beauty a mother, yes! Mine. A rose without thrones, not a petal was torn, a perfect rose stood straight and tall, my mother was the most precious of all. A rose that survived the worst kind of weather and yet the most delicate ever, a rose with a fragrance, there could be no other, you see this rose is my Mother. A rose is picked and put to dry, the beauty is still there, it never dies........" - Sue Horley

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 28th from 4:00PM to 7:00PM with a Rosary at 6:00PM at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary, 123 N. "A" Street Lompoc, CA.

Services for Katie will be held on Monday June 29th at 10:00 AM at the La Purisima Catholic Church, 213 W. Olive Street, Lompoc, CA .

A Reception will follow at the Elks Lodge starting at Noon. 905 E Ocean Avenue, Lompoc, CA. 93436.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the La Purisima Catholic Church 213 W. Olive Lompoc, CA or Providence Hospice 2033 Commerce Drive Medford, OR 97504. Thank you