John Putnam

Funeral services for John Putnam were held on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory, SD, with Father Ron Garry celebrant.

Music was provided by Mary Beth Gergen, pianist. Anita Messerschmidt was cantor, Bev Rubel was lector, Reed Sedlacek was altar server, and Alice Miner was in charge of registration.

Casket bearers were Eric Putnam, Wes Serr, Bill Serr, Bob Serr, Jarrod Serr, and Paul Shanahan. Interment was in the St. John Catholic Cemetery in Paxton, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangement. John Lawrence Putnam was born on September 28, 1962, in Gregory, SD, to Horace and Evelyn (Sanderson) Putnam.

John grew up on the farm near Paxton, SD. John was a very athletic little boy who loved to climb anything from a shelf in the house to the raised farm hand arms on the tractor. Due to unfortunate problems at birth, John needed lots of supervision. He had no sense of fear, which led to him getting into situations that could have led to his harm.

John was moved to the State Hospital and School in Redfield, SD, in 1973, where he could have the round the clock supervision that he required.

John moved to Rapid City, SD, in February of 2011 to join Black Hills Works, residing in the St. Cloud Apartments until the time of his passing. Over the years John developed close relationships with his support staff, specifically Kathy and Glory, and other participants. He was a deep thinker that loved observing the world around him. He enjoyed watching from the sidelines and found humor in most things. You could always tell his level of enjoyment by how his eyes danced while watching others. He especially liked spending time with his roommate, Dennis. They lived together for many years and pranks were often commonplace between the two gentlemen.

John was always willing to get out of the house if food was involved. He especially liked going to Perkins for chicken strips and fries. When it was time for dessert though, you could find him parked on a bench at Armadillo’s watching people while enjoying ice cream.

While at home John enjoyed listening to music and making his own with bells. Over the years John would help staff make popcorn, one of his favorite snacks. He took pride in a clean home, often doing many household tasks independently. When he was ready to relax you could find him curled up in his chair with a magazine. Filling the bird feeder and watching the birds was a favorite past time.

John’s impact on St. Cloud Apartments and Black Hills Works as a whole will be felt for years to come. John gave us all the opportunity to experience the world through his lens and find contentment in the simplicity of solitude. We’ll all miss walking in the door and seeing his sweet face waiting for us. It was our joy and pleasure to support him.

John passed away unexpectedly in Rapid City at the age of 62. He was preceded in death by his father, his mother and brother Dennis Brittain John is survived by brothers Morgan Putnam of Lakota, ND and Eric Putnam of Paxton, SD; and cousins Alice (Vakiner) Miner, and Curt Vakiner.