Thelma Mae Putnam, 88

Blue Earth — Thelma Mae Putnam, age 88, of Blue Earth, formerly of Delavan, died June 7, 2009, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center, Blue Earth. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Delavan, with Rev. Todd Substad officiating. Visitation will be Monday, June 15, 2009, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Patton Funeral Home, and also one hour prior to services. Patton Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Blue Earth is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Thelma Mae (Boettcher) Putnam was born March 27, 1921, in Josie, Neb. She was the daughter of Friedman and Beryle (Shermer) Boettcher. She was adopted by her Uncle John and Aunt Marion Boettcher in August of 1927. She spent most of her childhood in Hackensack. After eighth grade she moved back to Nebraska to live until she was 17 years old. She then moved to Mankato.

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. 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 where she spent the remainder of her life.

She is survived by her seven children; Sina (James) Raney of Wenatchee, Wash., James (Karen) Putnam of Winnebago, Nancy (James) Skaret of Bismarck, N.D., Donna Bratulich of Crystal, Mary Ellen Putnam of Burnsville, Walter (Rose) Putnam of Booneville, Iowa, and Susan (Douglas) Garlick of Blue Earth. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren; two foster grandsons; 16 great-grandchildren; three brothers and one sister.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Herbert in 1985, her biological and adopted parents, two sisters and three brothers, one son-in-law John Bratulich, and one infant great-granddaughter.

Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com