John Frank Putz

John Frank Putz, devoted husband and cherished father, died of natural causes on February 18, 2022, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was 100 years old. "Frankie" Putz was born in Omaha Nebraska on September 9th, 1921, the eldest child of Michael and Anna Putz, later of Dixon South Dakota and Los Angeles, California. Frank's early childhood was that of a farm boy, with all the delights and hardships of rural life overshadowed by the Great Depression and Dust Bowl years. In 1934, his parents and four siblings moved to Los Angeles. The tragic loss of Anna to tuberculosis in 1935 left the family bereft, but they met the challenges of the city, each succeeding in building new lives there. Frank attended Washington High School in Los Angeles. A classmate of his became swimming star, Esther Williams - indicating how far back that was. Upon graduation in 1939, he found summer work on the farm of his aunt and uncle near Dixon, South Dakota, where he decided to pass up college scholarships and take up farming himself. Frank spent the war (WWII) years on the Dixon farm, ironically having failed the military's medical examination. In 1945, he married a neighbor girl, Geneva Smith, and together this couple established a farm of their own. A son, Paul, was born to them in 1947. After a few years, Frank and Geneva decided to sample city life themselves. They rented out the farm and went to work for General Telephone and Bell Telephone in Los Angeles but juggling such far-flung responsibilities proved difficult and they returned to South Dakota a few years later. They developed a mixed farming operation, raising small grain, row crops and cattle. They lived briefly in Gregory, SD, and tried another year in Los Angeles, returning to live on the farm in 1958. Frank spent several winters as an electrician's assistant for Karl's Appliance of Gregory, took flying lessons and joined Toastmasters, an organization in which he took particular delight. He was proud to have mentored Steve McCance of Dixon in farming, who, along with Steve's wife, Karli, became close as family. Frank was physically strong, tireless and possessed of a relentless work ethic. As independent farmers, he and Geneva made rigorous frugality a life-long virtue. Frank's moderation in all things save humor and enthusiasm probably explains his longevity. Another contributor was a lifestyle that included scooping truckloads of grain into bins, chasing cattle on foot, hauling bales, and wrestling machinery that hardened him like athletic training. He remained physically robust for over nine decades and was rarely prescribed medicine. If Frank indulged, it was to pursue his insatiable curiosity and love of reading (though he did like cars, the faster, the better). He examined everything with wonder and would self-educate on a wide range of subjects, just to understand the world he lived in. When he and Geneva began wintering in Arizona in later years, they would spend hours exploring local museums and sites of interest. European trips were a joy. He became an ardent computer user, Googling everything, and was a Facebook enthusiast to his last days. Throughout his life, Frank's friends and family were important to him. Farm life included evening card games with neighbors and cousins, as well as family get-togethers with in-laws. California siblings were in constant touch, whether near or far, and, while in Arizona, Frank and Geneva had a host of "buddies". They cherished their home and friends in Vermillion, SD, where they retired and considered that the best decision they ever made. The little college town with its fine city library, museum and multitude of events was ideal for them. Frank so enjoyed serving pancakes with the Vermillion Lion's Club that they made him an honorary member and he rode as the Oldest Lion in the Dakota Days parade last year. The congregation of the Methodist Church was a circle of special friends, as were James Street neighbors, particularly Pat and Ron Steckelberg. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Anna, his sisters Lucile Breedlove and Rose Marie Leonard, and brother Paul. Survivors include a brother, Max (Karen) of La Mirada, CA, Geneva, Frank's much beloved wife of 76 years, his son Paul (Nancy) of Nevis MN, grandchildren John (Sharon) of Billings, MT, and Katherine of Park Rapids, MN, four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Frank's life will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, Feb 27, at the Vermillion Methodist Church near the intersection of Main and Dakota streets. Visitation with the family present will be from an hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials in Frank's name may be sent to the W. H. Over Museum, 1110 N. University St. Vermillion SD 57069. To send flowers to the family of John Frank Putz please visit our Tribute Store.