Evelyn Puffer, age 75, of Cambridge died unexpectedly at home January 24, 2015. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, January 29th at Common Ground United Methodist Community in Cambridge with Pastor Jean Rollin officiating. A visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 28th at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel and also one hour prior to the funeral Thursday at the church. Interment will be in Crystal Lake Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Evelyn was born May 8, 1939 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Glen and Verna MacLean. She was raised in Minneapolis and graduated from Edison High School. On December 6, 1958 Evelyn married James Puffer. They moved to Isanti in 1972 and to Cambridge in 1978.
Evelyn began her newspaper career as a writer for the Isanti County News in 1976. Her talents were soon recognized and the newspaper’s owner, Elmer Andersen, later promoted her to editor in 1982. She retired from the newspaper in March 2006. Evelyn loved to write and edit, and photography. It was her passion, and she was excellent at it.
Evelyn was an avid reader and she also loved to travel. She especially enjoyed trips to the Gulf Coast of Mexico, to the mountains of Wyoming and also Tennessee. She appreciated God’s creations and the beauty of the ocean. Evelyn loved watching the wildlife near her home and especially the birds. She was a long time member of the Common Ground United Methodist Community in Cambridge and was active in the community in many ways. She was involved in many community organizations, such as the Cambridge Rotary Club and the Harbor Room Cancer Resource Center. She will be dearly missed.
Evelyn Puffer passed away unexpectedly January 24, 2015 at home at the age of 75 years, 8 months and 16 days. She was preceded in death by her parents and by one son, Michael James; two daughters, Deborah Lynn and Stephanie Carole; one brother, Don MacLean; and two sisters, Jean Holmes, and Marilyn Elliot.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, James; daughter, Michelle of Cambridge; several children who adopted her and Jim as grandparents; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Tough time for everyone who knew and loved Evelyn. Praying for Missy and Jim and family, especially. She was one of a kind, responsible for my joining the ECM/Isanti County News family some years ago. I along with so many others will never forget her quick wit, beautiful smile and overall professionalism.
I am so sad. Evelyn was a joy–as a person, as an editor, as a boss and as a friend. So much intelligence, so much integrity, so much spunk! I learned so much about journalism, and about life, while working for her all those years ago. The world is a little less bright–we’ve lost an amazing woman. Rest in Peace Evelyn, you were deeply loved and admired.
For 14 years, as my editor, Evelyn red-penned my writing, less and less each year because of her great mentoring, until one day I said goodbye to join the ranks of editor and become her peer. From day one I learned lessons from her that will last me a lifetime. While we didn’t talk often as of late, we did still share a wonderful friendship. She will be missed. My love to Jim and Missy.
I thought the world of this lady, professionally and personally. We saw our newspapers change so much over the years and fondly recalled the “old” days. RIP.
This is certainly a sad time. She was an amazing woman with so much integrity. She fought for what she believed in and I had great respect for her.
What I’ll remember most about Evelyn, was what a good friend she was to my mom. I know they were there for each other in times of grief and in good times. Now they are both angels in Heaven. Jim and Missy may you feel God’s arms around you now and always.
Through pen and ink Evelyn was a strong voice of reason, fairness and goodwill in our community. We are all better because of how Evelyn lived her life. May God bless her legacy.
Evelyn was a great friend and confidant .She made me a better judge because of her insight and guidance when I needed it. We had wonderful times together reminiscing about Mpls. politics, going down to the State capitol, covering slogan contest winners and helping Lois Osterich and myself behind the scenes as we worked to save the historic Isanti county courthouse.
Her introducing me to long time editorial writer Charles Schwartz brought many hours of enjoyment as I got to know him.
She was always someone who had a smile on her face and a cheerful disposition ,no matter how she was feeling.
She will be forever missed .
Judge Jim Dehn
I am saddened by the news of Evelyn’s death, she was a remarkable woman, we had many wide-ranging discussions and many laughs, she taught me a lot about life and Russian novels. She has always been on my prayer list both in gratitude and supplication. She was gift to all who knew her, I am comforted knowing she is finally free of pain and welcomed into the arms of God.