Evelyn J. Putnam

Evelyn Juanita Putnam was born on October 6, 1935, to Peter and Josephine (Jessie) Shotley in Cloquet. She was a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. During Evelyn's childhood she attended Queen of Peace Catholic School and worked at the Cloquet Country Club as a golf caddy. Evelyn graduated from Cloquet High School in 1953. She lived in Cloquet for her entire life and was devoted to her Catholic faith. Evelyn was united in marriage to Duane Putnam on February 12, 1955. Together they were blessed with four children, Cherie, Diane, Steve, and Karen. She worked at various places which included Harnish Clothing Store, Medich Drug Store, in the kitchen at the Cloquet Country Club, Stearns Manufacturing, the papermill offices, Romanek Vending, and in the kitchen at the Cloquet Public Schools. Evelyn was a member of the Moonlighters Camping Club, the Ski Flees Snowmobile Club, the Neighborhood Sewing Club, the Moose Club, the Cloquet American Legion Auxiliary where she was president for one year, and a longtime devoted member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Evelyn enjoyed playing cards at the VFW every Monday, going to the casino, playing bingo at various bingo halls, going out to eat, and cooking (She made the best pies). She especially enjoyed motorcycling with Duane, taking trips with friends in their younger years, and camping with her husband, children, and friends. Evelyn will be remembered for being very generous, kind, and having a great sense of humor.

Evelyn will be deeply missed by her children, Cherie Clement of Cloquet, Steve Putnam of Big Lake, Minnesota, and Karen (Clif) Morgan of Cloquet; grandchildren, Heather (Steve) Kranz, Chad (Michelle) DeMenge, and Adam Meyers; great grandchildren, Lacie and Hudson Kranz, and Alex Rehn; many nieces, nephews, and friends; and her beloved dog, Angel who she had many names for including "Little Girl" and "Pumpkin". She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane; daughter, Diane Putnam; grandson, Owen Wilton; her parents; brothers, Burton and Leon Shotley; and sister, Pat Dickison.

Evelyn Juanita Putnam, age 90 of Cloquet, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Aspirus St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. Mass of Christian Burial for Evelyn will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 9, 2026, with a visitation 1 hour prior to her service at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Cloquet. A luncheon will follow her service at the Church. Interment will be in the spring or summer of 2026 at the New Calvary Cemetery in Cloquet.