John Anthony Daum, age 77 of Apple Valley, MN died peacefully on February 12, 2025, in Minneapolis, MN after a long battle with Frontotemporal Dementia. He was survived by his wife of 50 years, Donna. They resided in Rosemount for 36 years, raising their 3 children together. Also survived by sons Daniel (Marisa) Daum, and Mark (Christi) Daum, daughter Laura (Chris) Springer; 7 grandchildren (Lucy, Gus, Ellie, Whitney, Isaac, Theo and Ti), cousins and nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, August & Edith (Sweeney) Daum, brothers Charles & Jerry Daum, sister Theresa Dunsmore, and father-in-law Gordon Scheff.

Born on July 8, 1947 to August & Edith Daum in Hot Springs, SD, John was the youngest of 4 children. In his youth, John enjoyed riding his bike around town and bowling with friends. He participated in many high school athletics & activities – basketball, track, football, chess, and choir – even a short stint on the stage in a school play.

He graduated from Edgemont High School in 1965. His post high school education included attending the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, earning his bachelor's degree in philosophy from Creighton University in Omaha, NE in 1970, and St.Mary's Seminary in Sarita, TX. After a decision against Catholic Priesthood, he moved to the Twin Cities area to be near his older brother, Jerry, where he took a job as a silk screener.

He joined the MN Air National Guard in 1972, attended basic training and was trained as a medic at Lockland and Shepperd AFBs in Texas. He spent the majority of his military career stationed at the 133rd Airlift Wing at the MSP airport, serving as a Health Technician and Medical Records Manager. He was well known and liked by everyone on the base. He retired from the Air Force in 2002. An excerpt from his autobiographical summary written in the early 80's – "Being an air guard health technician requires me to wear many hats and entails much responsibility, but to me it is a challenge – a challenge that I take on and enthusiastically pursue."

He met his wife, Donna (Scheff), in 1972 at the couple's small group Bible study (the "Old Gang"). They married in Sherburn, MN in 1974 and made their first home in St. Paul. Here they would welcome their first son, Daniel. Moving south of the river in 1980 to Rosemount, Mark and Laura completed the family. The family settled in the Apple Valley/Rosemount area.

He had a joyful spirit, smile and laugh. To know John, was to know his laugh and his cheesy "dad jokes."  He considered everyone a friend and treated them as such. He enjoyed annual road trips to South Dakota with his family, fishing & duck hunting with his sons, flowers and gardening, playing church softball, collecting pop-cans, tinkering in the garage, playing cards, and relaxing in his recliner. He enjoyed being a grandpa to his 7 grandchildren.

John's faith in Jesus Christ was a cornerstone of his life – raised in the Catholic faith, then finding a personal relationship with the Lord in the early 70's. He was baptized as an adult in 1994. He was an active member and leader at Hope Church since 1980, leading Awana and Pioneer Clubs. He was the church softball teams' pitcher for over a decade and made many memories at tournaments over the years. He assisted in the church expansion/building in the early 90's and served as an elder. His children remember his daily "quiet times", reading the Bible with coffee cup in hand.

He started showing signs of Frontotemperal Dementia the last 12-15 years of his life – We remember him and are thankful for the time with him, in every version we had of him. We are so grateful for the full healing and restoration he received when he entered Heaven on February 12th, 2025.

Memorial Service will be held 11 AM Saturday February 22, 2025, at Hope Church, 7477 145th St W, Apple Valley, MN with a gathering of family and friends starting at 10 AM. Private interment, Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

He will be greatly missed & we look forward to our reunion with him in Glory.

White Funeral Home, Apple Valley 952-432-2001

Condolences at: www.whitefuneralhomes.com