Marilyn Puttmann

Marilyn Jean (McKenzie) Puttmann, age 93 of Kingsley, Iowa, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, teacher and friend passed peacefully on April 14th, 2025 at Heritage at Northern Hills independent living center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m. Monday, April 21st, 2025 at St. Michael Catholic church in Kingsley, Iowa with Fr. Michael J. Erpelding officiating. Visitation with family present will be 11 a.m to 12:45 p.m. at the church on Monday. Burial will follow at St. Michael Cemetery.  Services have been entrusted to Kingsley Funeral Home & Monument of Kingsley, IA www.kingsleyfh.com

Marilyn was born Feb. 22, 1932 at home to Esther (Flisram) and Louis Mckenzie near Dallas, South Dakota.

Marilyn’s parents moved often to various farms near the towns of Bonesteel, Gregory, Burke and Dallas in south central South Dakota. She had a very happy childhood (self-described). She graduated from Gregory high school in 1950.

She met Harold Wempe during her junior year at Gregory High School. Marilyn married the love of her life on August 12th, 1950. Marilyn joined the Catholic church when she married Harold. She has been diligently committed to her Catholic faith for over 74 years. Marilyn and Harold both attended Southern State College at Springfield, SD and then graduating ‘from the University of South Dakota in 1971 with her Bachelor’s in Education. She began her teaching career at several country schools in South Dakota.

Harold and Marilyn came to Kingsley in 1961 to be teachers at the Kingsley-Pierson community school district. They were very dedicated to the teaching profession. They were well considered and appreciated by both students and faculty.

Harold and Marilyn raised five wonderful children: Janice (1951), Jeff (1952), Tom (1960), Rob (1963) and Patrick (1967).

Harold passed away on June 9th, 1976 and later she married Max Puttmann on July 3rd, 1979. She was welcomed by all of Max’s family and was devoted to Max and all of his family. Max passed away on June 9th, 2007.

Marilyn’s passion was to be a mother, wife, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, teacher and friend. She loved to be with people. People were her passion. Everyone who had contact with her was always blessed in some way. She enjoyed teaching, singing, going to plays and her pets; Stretch, Callie, Cat, Gizmo, Paris and Miss Priss.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Janice (Art) Jones of Spearfish, SD, Jeff (Lori) Mckenzie of Lindenhurst, IL, Tom (Laurel) Wempe of Pierre, SD, Rob (Susan) Wempe of Los Alamitos, CA and Patrick (Tricia) Wempe of Arkadelphia, AR. 5 step-children, Sandra (Wilbur) Larson, Brenda (Marvin) Holtz, Gary (Kay) Puttmann, Marilyn (Dave) Judish, David (Janet) Puttman. She is also survived by her sister Kathy Lessek (Mckenzie) of Elk Point, SD and numerous grandchildren, Loren (Diana), Scott (Jessica), Amanda (Matt), Adam (Laura), Alex (Lindsay), Brett (Erin), Evan, Susanna (Colton), Collin, Muluken, Dilayehu, Kevens, Berlineda, Angelmaa, Gabriella, Michaella, Linda, Brent, Roxanne, Curtis, Shannon, Sean, Todd, Kristie, Jennifer; numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Esther and Louis McKenzie; brothers, William and Jack Mckenzie; both husbands, Harold Wempe and Max Puttmann; brother-in-law, Paul Lessek; sister-in-law, Keeta McKenzie.

Marilyn’s love and caring for family, friends and students will live on as here legacy to all who knew her. She will be missed by all.

Casket bearers will be some of her former students.

Honorary bearers will be all her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren.