Max Putney

Max was born November 20, 1940, in DeSoto, Iowa, Dallas County, to Jack and Lucille Putney.

Max married Janet Hepner November 4, 1959, in Sioux Falls, SD. They later moved to Wisconson and had seven children together.

Max began dairy farming in the mid-1950s and enlisted in the United States Army later that decade. In the early 1960s, he worked in general assembly at General Motors, before returning to dairy farming in the late 1960s. He then transitioned to owning and operating a trucking business, hauling goods cross-country for several years. However, a series of heart attacks forced him to retire from active work in 1989.

In 2008, Max self-published a book titled The Carpenter's House. Throughout his life, he had a deep passion for writing and enjoyed crafting short stories that captured moments and memories dear to him.

Max married Karen Jacob on April 10, 1986, and from the moment she entered his life, he felt truly complete. Together, they shared nearly 38 years of what they both considered an ideal marriage. Sadly, Karen passed away on March 5, 2024, just shy of their 38th anniversary.

In the 1990s, Max and Karen relocated to Sioux Falls on the advice of doctors, who recommended they move closer to a heart hospital for Max's health needs.

Throughout his adult life, Max struggled with insulin-dependent diabetes and a number of other health issues. Despite these challenges, his Christian faith remained the most important aspect of his life, a belief he had held dearly since a very young age.

Max was deeply grateful for the love and companionship he shared with his wife, Karen. He leaves behind his children: Mike (Amy) Putney, Jeff (Kim) Putney, Wendy (John) LaVergne, Sandra (Doug Nelson) Putney, Susan (David) Haar, Ken (Lessli) Putney, and Cheryl (Tim) Seichter, Tonda (Brian) Ellis; his sisters-in-law, Eileen Nelson and Marlys (Dale) Brockberg; nieces, Marcia (Evan) Ellis and Angie (Kyle Huinker); as well as many cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Max was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Karen; his parents; his siblings; his stepson, Steve, and his wife, Lisa; as well as his grandsons, Dalton and Nathan.