Lowell Putnam, age 85, of Milaca, passed away March 15, 2009 at Talahi Nursing Home in St. Cloud. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, March 19th at Long Lake Lutheran Church in Isanti with Pastor Howard Skulstad officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, March 18th at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel and also1 hour prior to the service Thursday at the church. Interment will be in Long Lake Community Cemetery.
Lowell Martin Putnam was born October 21, 1923 in Big Lake, Minnesota to Emma and Julian Putnam. When he was 4 years old the family moved to Anoka where he was raised. At the age of 17 he joined the Navy at the beginning of World War II. Lowell served for 6 years as an aviation machinist first class and tail gunner on B24 Bombers and the Catalina. He flew 39 successful bombing missions and was in 3 plane crashes while serving. In 1949 he married Eleanor Andrews of Anoka. Lowell was a government inspector at the Honeywell plant for 28 years. He also worked part-time doing small engine repair and many side jobs for friends. In 1997 they moved to Elk River and then in 2004 to Milaca where they lived with son Gary and wife Karen. Lowell enjoyed woodworking and just working with his hands. He had many talents and built his own home. He enjoyed watching the birds, deer and wildlife. In earlier years he was an excellent roller skater.
Lowell passed away on March 15, 2009 at Talahi Nursing Home in St. Cloud at the age of 85 years, 4 months and 24 days. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, two sisters, one son and three grandchildren.
Lowell is survived by his wife, Eleanor of Milaca; two daughters, Sandra (Robert) Johnson of Isanti, Cheryl (Jim) Lahr of Ramsey; four sons, Kevin of Forest Lake, Steve and Doug of Andover, Gary (Karen) of Milaca; eleven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three brothers; one brother-in-law and his wife; and by many other relatives and friends.
Oh, the memories … as a teenager growing up, I’ll never forget the many evenings we spent over at Lowell’s and Eleanor’s playing Spoons with our friends from 4-H. Many times, someone would be dragged across the counter kicking and screaming, knocking out lights and tipping over chairs, but never letting go of that last spoon. What fun and treasured memories – we always felt welcomed and watched over with just the right amount of protection. Not much has changed – you’re still watching over us, just from a different location. We will miss you, Lowell. Love and prayers to Eleanor, Sandie and the family. Bonnie Stanley (Reynolds)
I too have alot of memories of Lowell while I was growing up. I would go stay at Bob and Sandie’s and spend alot of time upstairs with Cheryl. He was always there to give you a hard time or answer a question. He was almost like my second dad – he was in my life almost as long as Sandie has been. I especially remember when they would come to Kansas on the way to his Navy reunions and he would tell me his stories of being in the Navy. He was a wonderful man and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you through this time and know that we love you.