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Ronald Gene Putz | Ann Carolyn Bruder | Loren James Newton | Debra J. Fahnel
Ronald Gene Putz
Ronald Gene Putz, 73, of Blue Springs, Mo., and formerly of Fountain City and Winona, died Monday, Sept. 1, 2008, at Kansas University Hospital in Kansas City, Kan., from complications of leukemia. He was born Dec. 8, 1934, in Fountain City, Wis., to Raymond Putz and Bernice Malles Putz. Following high school, he joined the Army and served in the occupation of Germany in the early 1950s. He also attended Winona State College in Winona and was later employed at North Central Airlines.
He married Elizabeth Raphael of Winona on Jan. 5, 1963. Three daughters joined their union, which included Heidi, Holly and Lisa. He was active in organizing the Lion’s Club in Winona, and ran for Minnesota state Senate in 1970. He served as branch president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over a period of five years while living in Winona.
After moving to Rochester, Minn., he again pursued his political interests with the American Party. He had great interest in genealogy and family history research.
In 1979, the family moved to Springfield, Mo., and he and his wife became administrators and consultants for nursing homes in Joplin, Kansas City and Columbia, Mo., for the next 10 years. The business took them to Blue Springs (in the Kansas City area) in 1985. After retiring from the nursing home business, he worked for Gateway Computer Co. in Kansas City and retired in 1998.
After retirement, he and his wife served a two-year Family History mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fort Myers, Fla. After returning home, they were called again to serve the church locally in Independence, Mo., as directors of the Employment Center.
Ron developed a deep interest in the early Mormon history of Jackson County, Mo., and became co-founder of the Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation. He was a great storyteller and conducted many tours in western Missouri. People came from all over the United States and some from overseas to participate in his tours.
He became ill early this year with leukemia and due to complications, was unable to continue his sojourn and work in this world. He was taken home to his eternal life on Sept. 1, 2008.
His family remembers him for his great love and devotion to the title of son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; his three daughters, Heidi of Kansas City, Mo., Holly (James) Thorup of Sandy, Utah, and Lisa (Steve) Amen of Independence, Mo. He leaves seven grandchildren, Brittney (Ian) Smith, Brad, Ashley, Allison and Taylor Amen, Jake and Chaz Thorup; his mother, Bernice (Clarence) Busch; three brothers, Jerry (Jan) Putz, Robert Engel, William (Betty) Engel; and three sisters, Ruth (Eugene) Korder, Rose Mary (John) Staige, Susan (Michael) Ellis, and Lucy (Anthony) Wolfe. His father, Raymond Putz, preceded him in death.
Funeral services were held in Blue Springs on Friday, Sept. 5, 2008.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Winona.
Burial will be in the Fountain City Public Cemetery, where the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post No. 9 of Winona will provide full military honors.
Pallbearers will be Jim Thorup, Steve Amen, Brad Amen, Robert Engel, William Engel and Gerald Putz.
Online condolences or memories may be left for Ron’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com
Entrusted to our care, Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home.
Ann Carolyn Bruder
June 26, 1949 — Sept. 3, 2008
Ann Carolyn Bruder, 59, of Winona lost her battle with cancer Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Saint Anne Extended Healthcare, Winona. Ann was born June 26, 1949, in International Falls, Minn., to Carl Clifford Smith and Ina Marie (Backlund) Smith. She grew up in International Falls and graduated from Falls High School. After high school, she attended St. Cloud State University and graduated with a degree in elementary and special education.
While going to college, she worked at the Brainard State Hospital summer program for college students. After college, she taught several years in the Brainard Public Schools in special education.
Ann married Michael John Bruder on Aug. 7, 1971, at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church in Long Prairie, Minn. In 1973, they moved to Winona, where Michael began working with Preeshl, Helstad, Shoup and Co. Ann left teaching to become a full-time mom to their three daughters.
She is survived by her husband, Michael; daughters, Helen of Marshall, Minn., Melanie (Douglas) Wehner of Coon Rapids, Minn., and Jeanne (Joshua) Theobald of Winona. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Hannah and Ethan Theobald.
A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Ann’s life will be Monday, Sept. 8, 2008, at noon at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Winona, with the Rev. William Becker officiating. Friends may call Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home, Winona, then Monday from 11 a.m. to noon in the visitation Commons of St. Mary’s Church.
A memorial to honor Ann is being arranged.
Services entrusted to Fawcett-Junker Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Winona.
Words of sympathy and remembrance may be left at www.fawcett-junkerfuneral home.com.
Loren James Newton
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Loren James Newton, 27, of Nashville died Aug. 29, 2008.
He is survived by fiancé, Allison Goodwin; children, Jada and Jessa Newton; parents, James and Lori Newton; brother, Jonathan (girlfriend, Eva) Newton; sisters, Andrea, Hollie, and Patty; grandparents, Loren Hilgert, J.B. (Helen) Newton, Jr.; also survived by his devoted Band family.
Arrangements by West Harpeth Funeral Home (615) 352-9400 .
Debra J. Fahnel
URNE, Wis. — Debra J. Fahnel, 51, of Urne died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, at her home. No formal services will be held. Burial of cremains will be at Nelson cemetery.
Talbot Family Funeral Homes of Buffalo County assisted with arrangements.
