Judith Putnam

Judith (“Judy”) Kaye Putnam passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2012 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, IA due to complications from breast cancer and other illness.

Judy was born in Washington, IA to Harold and Lois Putnam on April 14th, 1941. Judy was their only child and enjoyed her time with cousins and other extended family immensely. Judy often recounted fond childhood memories of playing with inmates of the Washington County jail, as her father was the county sheriff and her mother the cook for the jail. Judy cultivated a love of nature and animals at an early age, including, as pets, a dog named Peaches and a parakeet named Ike. Judy always did well in school and was a member of the National Honor Society as well as an active participant in Thespians, various choirs and the art club. She also played the clarinet.

When Judy was 16, she met Larry Walker, a friend’s cousin. She and Larry dated for the next two years and then married in San Bernadino, California on December 22nd, 1959. They honeymooned at Disneyland in Anaheim. Shortly after the wedding, Judy returned to Iowa to study art at the University of Iowa on a merit scholarship while Larry was stationed in California. Beginning in 1960, Judy and Larry spent time living in Yokosuka, Japan where Larry was stationed with the US Navy. Judy enjoyed this time immensely as she was able to fully explore her artistic talents and gain exposure to new cultures. Judy and Larry returned to the US in 1963 and made their home in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa where they both worked at International Resistance Company. Larry was involved in a head-on collision on his way home from work during the night of August 10th, 1966 which claimed his life. Judy returned to her studies at the University of Iowa where she studied sociology and psychology and then graduated with her B.A. in Social Work in 1970.

From 1971 to 1973, Judy was employed by the Mental Health Institute in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa as a chemical dependency counselor. In 1973, Judy began her nearly 30 year career with the Iowa Department of Human Services. Judy worked in the areas of adoption, child abuse investigation and in-home health care income maintenance. Judy was an active participant of the UE Local 893 union. She was always very proud of her union work and made many friends through the union.

In 1978, Judy gave birth to her only child, JoLynn. Judy had always longed for children and was thrilled about the birth of her daughter. Judy was a good mother and a wonderful grandmother. She was quite proud of her daughter and her granddaughters.

Judy was an honest and welcoming person and her warmth will be sorely missed by those she has left behind.

Judy was preceded in death by her father, Harold M Putnam; Mother, Lois K (Holland) Putnam; beloved Aunt Faye (Holland) Kochneff and Uncle Al Kochneff; her husband, Larry Evan Walker; and JoLynn’s father, Eddie Barnes.

Survivors are her daughter, JoLynn Evans; son-in-law, Rich Evans; granddaughters, Laila and Jaida Evans; step-granddaughter, Daijza Williams-Evans; much loved dog, Sammi; and beloved cousins: Dan Holland, Kay Rothman, Marjorie Rooks, Lee Kochneff, Bill Kochneff, Nancy Kochneff and their families.

Memorial donations may be directed to www.joshuacasteel.com or to http://www.katiescrusaders.org/ Joshua is a friend of JoLynn’s who is fighting stage 4 lung cancer. Katie’s Crusaders is an Iowa organization that helps local families dealing with breast cancer. Nicole McComas a friend of the family, offered great support to Judy and JoLynn; even through her own fight with breast cancer. Nicole is one of Katie’s Crusaders this year.

Online condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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