Pine Knot News - A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news

Duane Putnam, 90, passed away Jan. 8, 2021, at The Waterview Shores in Two Harbors. He was born on Aug. 23, 1930, to Aaron and Katherine (Nathan) Putnam in Linton, North Dakota.

Duane enlisted in the U.S. Army and was a Korean War veteran. Following the war, he returned home and married Evelyn Shotley on Feb. 12, 1955, in Cloquet.

He was employed for many years at the Wood Conversion plant, later Conwed, and at Potlatch until his retirement.

Duane was a member of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church, life member of the VFW and the American Legion in Cloquet.

He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman. Duane enjoyed spending time at the hunting shack, riding motorcycle, snowmobiling, and camping with his family and friends. Evelyn and Duane wintered in Florida for about 20 years until health concerns kept them closer to home.

He was the guy who kept all the equipment running down the roads or trails. Duane was very handy and could fix just about anything. He could be found in his garage most days fixing, improving or tinkering on just about anything.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Diane; grandson Owen Wilton; brothers James and Archie Putnam; and sister Irene Dockter.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Evelyn; son, Steve; daughters Cherie Clement and Karen (Clif) Morgan; brother Don (Geraldine) Putnam; sister Lorene Borin; grandchildren Heather Kranz, Chad DeMenge and Adam Myers; great-grandchildren, Lacie and Hudson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, Jan. 22 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Cloquet. Military honors accorded by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. Interment will be in New Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements are with Nelson Funeral Care. To view the guestbook visit http://www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.

Pine Knot News, Jan. 15, 2021