Thelma M. Putnam

Thelma Mae (Boettcher) Putnam was born March 27, 1921 near a farm in Josie, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Friedman and Beryle (Shermer) Boettcher. In May of 1926 her father died and she was adopted by her Uncle John and Aunt Marion Boettcher in August of 1927. She then moved to Hackensack, Minnesota, where she started the first grade. After eighth grade she moved back to Nebraska to live with her grandmother until was 17 years old. She then moved to Mankato, Minnesota where she was a worked as a housekeeper for the Doering family. She was united in Marriage on March 24, 1942 to Herbert Putnam at the German Lutheran Church in Mankato. Her and her husband farmed in Delavan for 33 years while raising their seven children, Sina, James, Nancy, Donna, Mary Ellen, Walter, and Susan. In 1975 Herb and Thelma retired from farming, sold the farm and moved into town. They were both members of the Faith Lutheran Church in Delavan. In 1986, she moved to Blue Earth were she spent the remainder of her life. Thelmas greatest joys were watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. As well as sewing, gardening, traveling, and cooking. She is survived by her seven children; Sina (James) Raney of Wenatchee, WA, James (Karen) Putnam of Winnebago, MN, Nancy (James) Skaret of Bismarck, ND, Donna Bratulich of Crystal, MN, Mary Ellen Putnam of Burnsville, MN, Walter (Rose) Putnam of Booneville, IA, and Susan (Douglas) Garlick of Blue Earth, MN. Sheis also survived by 16 grandchildren; Marty and Jon Raney, Dawn, Betsy, Mike and Melissa Putnam, Steve & Matt Skaret, Diane Olson, Ted and Tom Bratulich, Rob and Rusty Putnam, and April, Roscoe, and Charles Garlick. Two foster grandsons Jacob and John Koestler. 16 great-grand children; Mariah, Darrel, Tyler, Megan, Jacob, Jordon, Zachary, Courtney, Christopher, Samantha, Nicholas, Taylor, Jenna, Jake, Ryan and Morgan, three brothers: Donald Boettcher of Vancouver, WA, Edwin Boettcher of Eugene, OR, and Lowell Otto of Post Falls, ID, one Sister; Marianne Fisher of Utica, IL. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Herbert in 1985, her biological and adopted parents, two sisters; Beatrice Thibaut and Helen Booher; three brothers; Noel Boettcher, Gerald Otto, and William Otto, one son-in-law John Bratulich, and one infant great-granddaughter, Erica.