The Putnam family is celebrating the life of Bonnie “Colleen” Putnam, who passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024, in Albia, Iowa, at age 87.
Colleen was born on her family’s Putnam County farm on July 29, 1936, to Randall and Edith Pickering. She married Robert Putnam on August 16, 1953, and he preceded her in death on July 23, 2003.
After graduating from Unionville High School in 1953, Colleen graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, later earning a Master of Science from Truman State University. Colleen was the first in her family to graduate college and became an advocate for women’s rights and advanced education.
Her career began with a challenge as she started the first kindergarten in Putnam County, MO. Colleen amassed a 32–year long career teaching young children, which she loved. She received numerous awards, including Iowan of the Day at the Iowa State Fair, Teacher of the Year, Woman of the Year, and 5 Chamber awards, as well as an induction in the Chamber Hall of Fame and the Ruth Wagner Award in the capacity of an Assistant Commissioner for the Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District.
It came naturally for Colleen to volunteer within her community and she especially loved taking photos of other volunteers to submit to the local newspaper, highlighting their works for the community. She belonged to several organizations, such as the Monroe County Hospital Auxiliary, Monroe County Master Gardeners, Monroe County Arts Council, and the Monroe County Woman’s Club, as well as served on the Carnegie-Evans Public Library Board of Directors.
Colleen enjoyed traveling around the world through Elderhostel programs, visiting over 60 foreign countries and all 50 US States. In her spare time, she enjoyed playing Mah-Jong with friends.
Colleen is survived by her son Michael and wife Jennifer, granddaughter Patrice and husband Alvin, grandson Max and wife Krissy, granddaughter-in-law Kim, great granddaughter Zoey, and nieces Rosalee, Deana, and Lisa and husband, Ed. She is also survived by countless friends and loved ones.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, grandson Evan, her parents, and brothers Donald and Homer Lee (and his wife, Rose).
A Celebration of Life visitation will be held from 8:30 AM–11:30 AM on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Albia, with Dr. Jenna Harris and Pastor Lynda Carlson officiating. A private family burial will be held at a later date.
The family kindly requests no flowers, and suggests memorial contributions to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, King Opera House, or Lone Pine Cemetery, to honor her memory with her chosen charities.
Condolences and memories to the family may be left online at www.tharpfh.com.
