Irene Loretta Putman

Irene Loretta "GG" Putman passed away April 16, 2012 in St. Helens, surrounded by her family. Funeral Services will be 1:00pm Monday, April 23 at the Columbia Funeral Home, committal service at Columbia Memorial Gardens with reception to follow at The Best Western in St. Helens at 2:30PM. Irene Loretta Kinsey was born on October 19, 1917 in Rugby, North Dakota to Thomas W. and Belle Casey Kinsey. She joined an older sister and two older brothers. She grew up in Towner, North Dakota and graduated from Towner High School in 1936. She played on the girl's basketball team while in high school. Irene attended Minot Normal School in Minot, North Dakota for two years 1936-1937. She graduated in 1937. She began teaching all eight grades in a one-room school seven miles south of Towner. She taught in that school from 1937 - 1939. Irene met Carl Edison Putman through a friend at a picnic. They were married on Good Friday, April 7, 1939. Carl left immediately for Oregon for work. Irene stayed in North Dakota to finish the school year, and left in May, 1939 to join Carl in St. Helens. She began teaching in the St. Helens School District as a substitute teacher. She taught fifth grade for several years, and then was the music teacher for McBride, Yankton, and Columbia City schools for several years. While teaching, Irene completed the requirements for her Bachelor's Degree and Teaching Certificate in 1960 at the University of Oregon. Irene transferred to Condon Elementary School in 1962, where she taught second grade for several years and then first grade until retirement in 1980. After retirement, she and Hazel Chappell and the River City Singers volunteered at Meadow Park Care Center every Thursday for twelve years. They sang the old songs with the patients there. For years, Irene played bridge with several bridge clubs. She loved any kind of card game, cooking, and entertaining her family and friends. She adored her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchild. Irene was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Eastern Star, Columbia City Community Club, University of Oregon Alumni Association and various other educational organizations. She resided at Thanksgiving House in St. Helens for more than five years. Through those years she received wonderful loving care from Cecille Molden and the entire staff there. Irene died at age 94. Irene is survived by her son Douglas Putman and his wife Marilyn of Clatskanie and her daughter Beverly Ann Carpenter and her husband Charles of St. Helens, three grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband Carl in 1979, her great-granddaughter Lindsey White in 2006 and her grandson Craig Carpenter in 2009. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Irene's name would be very much appreciated for Thanksgiving House at 184 North 2nd Street in St. Helens or the Children's Book Fund at the St. Helens Library at 375 South 18th Street. On-line condolences can be made to the family at: www.columbiafh.com

Irene Loretta Putman

October 19, 1917 - April 16, 2012