Damon L. Isburg
Owner/Funeral Director
Damon L. Isburg was born and raised in Pierre, South Dakota. He lived above the funeral home in Pierre with his family. As a child he and his brother helped their father with daily chores around the funeral home. He attended Black Hills State University in Spearfish and Mount Marty College in Yankton, before graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, Illinois. He then returned to South Dakota and worked with his father in the funeral business before purchasing Fidler Funeral Chapels in the Summer of 2000. He is married to wife Traci, who helps with daily funeral home business as well, and is active in Spearfish Foundation for Public Education and the Spearfish Soccer Board. The couple have three sons; Carson, Rudy & Leo. He is active in the Spearfish Lions Club, Kiwanis International, Elks Lodge # 508 of Deadwood, Knights of Columbus, a member of the Spearfish and Lead Chamber of Commerce, served on Saint Joseph's Catholic Church Parish Council Board and is a Lawrence County Deputy Coroner.
Damon L. Isburg
Owner/Funeral Director
Damon L. Isburg was born and raised in Pierre, South Dakota. He lived above the funeral home in Pierre with his family. As a child he and his brother helped their father with daily chores around the funeral home. He attended Black Hills State University in Spearfish and Mount Marty College in Yankton, before graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago, Illinois. He then returned to South Dakota and worked with his father in the funeral business before purchasing Fidler Funeral Chapels in the Summer of 2000. He is married to wife Traci, who helps with daily funeral home business as well, and is active in Spearfish Foundation for Public Education and the Spearfish Soccer Board. The couple have three sons; Carson, Rudy & Leo. He is active in the Spearfish Lions Club, Kiwanis International, Elks Lodge # 508 of Deadwood, Knights of Columbus, a member of the Spearfish and Lead Chamber of Commerce, served on Saint Joseph's Catholic Church Parish Council Board and is a Lawrence County Deputy Coroner.
Tom Muckle
Funeral Director
A native of Sentinel Butte, ND, Tom grew up on his parents’ ranch and graduated from high school in Beach, ND. During his career, he has worked in the oilfields of ND, WY and MT. In 2004, Tom retired as Undersheriff after serving 20 years in Wibaux and Fallon Counties in Montana. In 2005, he started his career in Funeral Service in Baker, MT, and in 2016 was offered a position with Damon and Traci Isburg Family as a Licensed Funeral Director in Spearfish, SD, Lead, SD and Sundance, WY. He is a graduate of Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, CO where he received his degree in Mortuary Science.
Tom is married to Nona, and together they have five children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Twenty-five years ago, Tom and Nona fell in love with the Black Hills and they feel blessed to be to be living in the Spearfish Community. Tom and Nona are members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish where they are both actively involved as well as the Spearfish Lions Club where Tom is a member. They enjoy spending their spare time camping, riding their Harley Davidson, driving through the Black Hills and being with family and friends
As a licensed Director in SD, WY and MT, Tom is honored to assist families in their time of need.
Tom Muckle
Funeral Director
A native of Sentinel Butte, ND, Tom grew up on his parents’ ranch and graduated from high school in Beach, ND. During his career, he has worked in the oilfields of ND, WY and MT. In 2004, Tom retired as Undersheriff after serving 20 years in Wibaux and Fallon Counties in Montana. In 2005, he started his career in Funeral Service in Baker, MT, and in 2016 was offered a position with Damon and Traci Isburg Family as a Licensed Funeral Director in Spearfish, SD, Lead, SD and Sundance, WY. He is a graduate of Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, CO where he received his degree in Mortuary Science.
Tom is married to Nona, and together they have five children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Twenty-five years ago, Tom and Nona fell in love with the Black Hills and they feel blessed to be to be living in the Spearfish Community. Tom and Nona are members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Spearfish where they are both actively involved as well as the Spearfish Lions Club where Tom is a member. They enjoy spending their spare time camping, riding their Harley Davidson, driving through the Black Hills and being with family and friends
As a licensed Director in SD, WY and MT, Tom is honored to assist families in their time of need.
Mary Russell
Office Manager/Funeral Directors Assistant
Mary grew up in Rapid City, SD. She attended Black Hills State College and Black Hills Beauty College. She is the office manager and assistant to the funeral directors for the funeral home and has been a part of the Isburg staff since September of 2005. She is an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish, serving as a Eucharist Minister and Usher. She is married to Ron Russell and they have two children, Jake and Kasey Russell and their children, Blake and Hunter of Spearfish and Katie Witte and her children Jackson and Olivia of Colman, SD.
Mary Russell
Office Manager/Funeral Directors Assistant
Mary grew up in Rapid City, SD. She attended Black Hills State College and Black Hills Beauty College. She is the office manager and assistant to the funeral directors for the funeral home and has been a part of the Isburg staff since September of 2005. She is an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish, serving as a Eucharist Minister and Usher. She is married to Ron Russell and they have two children, Jake and Kasey Russell and their children, Blake and Hunter of Spearfish and Katie Witte and her children Jackson and Olivia of Colman, SD.
Larry D Vavruska
Funeral Directors Assistant
Larry D. Vavruska has lived in Spearfish for the past 37 years. He was business manager for the Spearfish School District 40-2 for 25 years retiring in the summer of 2002. He is married to Carol and they have two sons. Kyle, his wife Brandy and sons Rylan Duane and Kade Dean, daughter Taylee Kay live in Spearfish. Kyle has a dirt moving business, KDV Inc. Brandy is a first grade teacher with the Spearfish School Dist in Spearfish, SD. Son Kraig is in the United States Navy Stationed in Lemoore, CA. Kraig and wife Pam have two daughters Keely Reece and Toron Lilly and a son Kace Paul. Pam is a substitute teacher with the Lemoore School District in Lemoore, CA. Larry is a native of South Dakota, born in Gregory and grew up on a farm near Gregory. He attended Black Hills State University and received a degree in Business Education and Administration. Larry is an active member of the Saint Joseph's Catholic Church. He serves as, Lector, EM and member of the KC's. He is past President of the Parish Council. He serves on the Diocesan Pastoral Council. He has been a member of the Planning and Zoning for the City of Spearfish for the last 26 years. Larry has worked for Isburg Funeral Chapel for 11 years. Larry also sell real estate as a Broker Associate with Century 21, Dakota Belle-Spearfish Realty.
Larry D Vavruska
Funeral Directors Assistant
Larry D. Vavruska has lived in Spearfish for the past 37 years. He was business manager for the Spearfish School District 40-2 for 25 years retiring in the summer of 2002. He is married to Carol and they have two sons. Kyle, his wife Brandy and sons Rylan Duane and Kade Dean, daughter Taylee Kay live in Spearfish. Kyle has a dirt moving business, KDV Inc. Brandy is a first grade teacher with the Spearfish School Dist in Spearfish, SD. Son Kraig is in the United States Navy Stationed in Lemoore, CA. Kraig and wife Pam have two daughters Keely Reece and Toron Lilly and a son Kace Paul. Pam is a substitute teacher with the Lemoore School District in Lemoore, CA. Larry is a native of South Dakota, born in Gregory and grew up on a farm near Gregory. He attended Black Hills State University and received a degree in Business Education and Administration. Larry is an active member of the Saint Joseph's Catholic Church. He serves as, Lector, EM and member of the KC's. He is past President of the Parish Council. He serves on the Diocesan Pastoral Council. He has been a member of the Planning and Zoning for the City of Spearfish for the last 26 years. Larry has worked for Isburg Funeral Chapel for 11 years. Larry also sell real estate as a Broker Associate with Century 21, Dakota Belle-Spearfish Realty.
Pat Fahey
Funeral Directors Assistant
Pat Fahey
Funeral Directors Assistant
John Daum
Funeral Directors Assistant
John Daum was born and raised in Murdo, SD. He graduated from Murdo High School in 1965, BHSU in Spearfish, SD, with a BS in Secondary Education in 1969, and from the University of Wyoming, Laramie,WY, with a MAT in History in 1975. He is married to Kathy, who is a retired music teacher. They have two daughters. Denise Byrd is an Audiologist in Spearfish, Sturgis,and Deadwood, and has two children, Micah and Olivia. Lynette Daum is a music teacher. John taught 8th grade American History, 7th grade social studies and coached MS football and basketball for 28 years in Newcastle, WY. He was also the Athletic Director at the Newcastle Middle School along with teaching mini-courses in photography and speech. John currently works part-time for Dakota Bus Service in Spearfish and is an active member in the Spearfish Lions Club, serves on the Visit Spearfish Board, is a member of the United Church of Christ having served as Moderator, and other church boards. He is a choir member, soloist, and lay speaker. John has been a part of the Isburg Staff since 2009.
John Daum
Funeral Directors Assistant
John Daum was born and raised in Murdo, SD. He graduated from Murdo High School in 1965, BHSU in Spearfish, SD, with a BS in Secondary Education in 1969, and from the University of Wyoming, Laramie,WY, with a MAT in History in 1975. He is married to Kathy, who is a retired music teacher. They have two daughters. Denise Byrd is an Audiologist in Spearfish, Sturgis,and Deadwood, and has two children, Micah and Olivia. Lynette Daum is a music teacher. John taught 8th grade American History, 7th grade social studies and coached MS football and basketball for 28 years in Newcastle, WY. He was also the Athletic Director at the Newcastle Middle School along with teaching mini-courses in photography and speech. John currently works part-time for Dakota Bus Service in Spearfish and is an active member in the Spearfish Lions Club, serves on the Visit Spearfish Board, is a member of the United Church of Christ having served as Moderator, and other church boards. He is a choir member, soloist, and lay speaker. John has been a part of the Isburg Staff since 2009.
Hannah Bugos
Funeral Director
Hannah Bugos is a native of Illinois. She received a BFA at Bradley University in Peoria, IL in 2014. She later attended Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro, GA, and earned her associates in Funeral Service Education in 2024.
Hannah Bugos
Funeral Director
Hannah Bugos is a native of Illinois. She received a BFA at Bradley University in Peoria, IL in 2014. She later attended Ogeechee Technical College in Statesboro, GA, and earned her associates in Funeral Service Education in 2024.
Delaney Knottnerus
Funeral Director Apprentice
Delaney Knottnerus grew up in Gillette, Wyoming. She graduated from Thunder Basin High School in 2020. She received a full scholarship to play three years of soccer at Laramie County Community College (LCCC) in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she received an Associates of Health Sciences degree in 2022, and an Associates of Business of Applied Management degree in 2023. While attending LCCC, Delaney was dual-enrolled and took classes through Arapahoe Community College (ACC) in Littleton, Colorado where she earned her Associates of Mortuary Science degree in May 2024. Delaney completed her ACC internship with Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in June of 2024. Delaney joined our team on September 1, 2024 as a Funeral Director Apprentice. In her spare time, Delaney enjoys hiking, camping, hunting, cooking, and watching movies. Delaney plans to settle in the area as she now has family living in the Black Hills.
Delaney Knottnerus
Funeral Director Apprentice
Delaney Knottnerus grew up in Gillette, Wyoming. She graduated from Thunder Basin High School in 2020. She received a full scholarship to play three years of soccer at Laramie County Community College (LCCC) in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she received an Associates of Health Sciences degree in 2022, and an Associates of Business of Applied Management degree in 2023. While attending LCCC, Delaney was dual-enrolled and took classes through Arapahoe Community College (ACC) in Littleton, Colorado where she earned her Associates of Mortuary Science degree in May 2024. Delaney completed her ACC internship with Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in June of 2024. Delaney joined our team on September 1, 2024 as a Funeral Director Apprentice. In her spare time, Delaney enjoys hiking, camping, hunting, cooking, and watching movies. Delaney plans to settle in the area as she now has family living in the Black Hills.
