Chapter Fifteen:Kathy Kohm:Memorial

 Chapter 15

    Kathy’s memorial service was held at the Community Center in Santa Claus  on June 15th, 1981. 

   It was a chance for the community that had searched, prayed, and held their breath for two months to come together and grieve.  500 people attended the service. 

    Kathy was buried in Ithaca, New York later once her body was released to the family.  She had family up north in Ithaca and her parents felt that she should be buried where so many other family members were buried. They were a young family and had not even considered graves or burials before now.

   Bill Kohm’s job as an iron worker had the family moving every few years as one large building project ended and another began. Santa Claus, Indiana had embraced them but they had no idea where they would be in the future.  Burying Kathy here did not seem quite right. 

    Three days later an article in a local paper would announce that “Santa Claus Land in Full Swing”.  The theme park was eager to announce that it was open for business as usual. 




   

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