Jo Putnam

Jo Putnam died of natural causes on February 3, 2019 at the age of 87 in Evergreen, Colorado. She is survived by her three daughters: Debbie Atwood (Bill) of Evergreen, CO, Pam Dysenchuk (David) of Darien, CT, and Cami Miller of Conifer, CO as well as seven grandchildren: Ryan Atwood (Leah), Abbey Esposto (Ryan), Blair Shoemaker (Ethan), Marika Dysenchuk, Nikki Dysenchuk, Ted Beckman and Jenny Beckman and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by her older sister Jean Putnam of Ellensburg, WA and niece Tracey Putnam of Pittsburgh, PA. She was predeceased by her younger brother Russ Putnam.

Jo was born on December 5, 1931 in Harvard, IL to Betty and Russ Putnam. She attended the University of Illinois and later graduated from Kansas State University. She also earned her Master's degree in Education at the University of Illinois.

She left the University of Illinois in 1952 to marry her first husband, Ken Miller, who was a US Army Officer. They moved 19 times during their 26 year marriage including assignments in France and Germany. In 2001 she left northern Wisconsin and settled in Peterborough, NH in order to be closer to her daughters. Jo spent 16 magical years in Peterborough where she made many beloved friends, proudly owned her own home and reveled in her new found independence. She enjoyed hiking Mount Monadnock, kayaking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. She continued to tell stories professionally for many years.

Jo was a mother, teacher, camp counselor, writer, author, professional story teller, loon ranger, lover of the outdoors, an avid reader and an environmentalist. She was a kind, gentle, curious and free spirited woman. While living in northern Wisconsin she befriended members of the Ojibwe Native American tribe. She enjoyed their traditions and ceremonies and shortly before moving to New Hampshire she was invited to join the Ojibwe nation by participating in a Naming Ceremony. The ceremony lasted an entire day and she was given the name Niibawilkwe which means Standing Up, Rising Woman.

Jo's final year was spent in Lakewood, CO to be closer to her family but her heart remained in New Hampshire where she lived the most enjoyable years of her life starting with summers at Camp Kehonka in Wolfeboro in the 1960's and 70's and then 16 memorable years in Peterborough.

Her burial took place on February 8, 2019 in Evergreen, CO. A memorial service is being planned for later this year.