Howard Putnam

Howard Putnam, 81, of Creston left his earthly life Sept. 2, 2020, at EveryStep Hospice House surrounded by love and holding Norma's hand. Memorial services will be 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, at Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation Center in Creston. Rev. Mary O'Riley will officiate. The family will receive friends following the ceremony, during a reception in the funeral home community room. Howard will be laid to rest in Mt. Zion Cemetery, north of Prescott in a private ceremony. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Howard Putnam Memorial to be used for local animal care. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Howard Harry Putnam was born to Francis L. and Wilma (Wynn) Putnam on a farm north of Creston. When he was three years old, the family moved to the Putnam farm north of Prescott.

He attended a country grade school near his home then graduated from Prescott High School. He continued to work for his father on the farm and in 1959 married Janice Resh at the Grace Baptist Church in Corning. They had two children, Robin and Danny. During their growing years the family belonged to the Christian Church in Prescott. Howard and Jan also joined a square dance club that was popular at the time. He was also in the Corning National Guard Unit. When the children were grown, they divorced.

Later, friends Marilyn and Ed Blazek introduced him to Norma and after dating for a time, the couple married at The Congregational Church and Howard moved to Creston, did carpentry work for a while then worked for Eblen Construction for several years. After disruptions caused by health issues, he completed his working career with the patient transport unit at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. He thoroughly enjoyed his first experience working with the public and the interaction with co-workers and staff. The extra time on the road and twelve hour days did, however, limit his “help-out” time. Howard was always the “go-to” guy for his family when anything needed done. He was very adept at many tasks, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, welding and mechanical. He could fix anything and always put his family first.

From the time of their marriage, Howard became “dad” to Norma’s youngest daughter and “H” to the rest of the family. Grandpa “H” was very popular when grandkids joined the group.

Howard enjoyed taking fishing trips to Canada with a group of his friends. As a couple, Howard and Norma enjoyed taking trips with friends, traveling with groups, dancing twice a week when in Iowa and spending winter months in Arizona.

Howard is survived by his wife, Norma, of Creston; his children: Robin (Patrick) Patten of Prescott, Danny (Janene) of Tucson, Arizona; sister, Rosella Putnam of Creston; brother-in-law, Lamar Smith of Frostproof, Florida; nephew, Perry (Linda) Jaggers of West Chester, Ohio; niece, Linda Peterson of Frostproof, Florida and Denise (John) Schultz of Paradise Valley, Arizona; five grandchildren: Natalia (Matt) Denton, Nicci (Jason) Borrell, Jillian (Zach McAuley), Jessie and Jana Putnam; five great-grandchildren: Gage and Reagan Hoffman, Bo Denton, Harper and Adelyn Borrell; step-children: Michael (Karen) Eblen of Creston, Mauxie (Patrick) King of Creston and Roxanne Oliver of Ankeny; Norma’s seven grandkids: Alexie (Patrick) Bybee, Sam Aleto, David (Megan), Carson, Alex and Lauren Pettit, Drey Oliver; Norma’s two great grandchildren, Sebastian and Stellan Bybee; Norma’s brother, Terry Pickrell and family of Sahaurita, Arizona; sister Sandra Johnson and family of Grayslake, Illinois; many friends and other relatives will also feel this loss.

Howard was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Margaret Smith and Viola (Ed) Jaggers.