In Memory Of
Marie M. Putnam
1928
2019
Marie M. Putnam
July 14, 1928 — November 20, 2019
Marie Maxine (Rothberger) Putnam, 91, of Carbondale, passed away Wednesday, November 20, 2019.
She was born July 14, 1928, in Eudora, Kansas, the daughter of Max and Katherine Elizabeth (Eder) Rothberger. She was a 1946 graduate of Eudora High School. Marie married Charles "Charlie" E. Putnam on July 6, 1946 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora, Kansas.
Marie and her husband moved to Topeka in 1948. Charlie worked for the Santa Fe Railroad and Marie went to work for Blue Cross/Blue Shield until 1952 when their first daughter, Julie was born. In 1954 they were blessed with a son Michael and in 1958 another daughter, Lori. Marie was busy for the next ten years raising their little ones. In 1970 she enrolled at Washburn University to pursue an education in nursing. She graduated in 1974 from Stormont-Vail School of Nursing and began her nursing career at Topeka State Hospital. WOW! quite an interesting position. In 1975 she moved on to working in the Emergency Room at Santa Fe Memorial Hospital. After two years as a hospital staff nurse Marie entered the field of teaching in 1976 at Kaw Area Technical School while continuing her education acquiring a Baccalaureate Degree in Health Care Management in 1979 from Ottawa University. In 1980 Marie accepted a teaching position at Stormont-Vail School of Nursing while pursuing a Master's Degree in Education from Kansas State University graduating in 1985. Following the closing of Stormont-Vail School of Nursing she returned to Kaw Area Technical School and again continued her education receiving an Educational Specialist Degree from Pittsburg State University in 1991. Marie continued teaching nursing until 1995 when she accepted the position of Coordinator of Nursing Services for the Topeka Public School System, retiring in 2004.
She was a member of the Christ the King Catholic Church, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nurses and Pittsburg State Alumni Association.
Survivors include her three children, Dr. Julie K. Putnam of Carbondale, Dr. Michael C. Putnam of Topeka and Lori M. Vawter, and her husband Rick of Wakarusa, KS; one grandson, Andy Vawter of Wakarusa, KS; her canine companions, Elizabeth, Sophie, Jenni and Itsy; and her feline companion, Mrs. Cat.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie on August 6, 2010; her parents; and a brother, Leo Rothberger.
Marie never met a stranger and enjoyed interacting with others. She possessed a great sense of humor and always had a wonderful smile. She enjoyed vacationing in Branson, Missouri, gardening, sewing, and provided knitting classes in her home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Christ the King Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Topeka.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday at Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka where a Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 SW 25th, Topeka, KS 66614.
To leave a special message for Marie's family, please visit the guestbook below.
She was born July 14, 1928, in Eudora, Kansas, the daughter of Max and Katherine Elizabeth (Eder) Rothberger. She was a 1946 graduate of Eudora High School. Marie married Charles "Charlie" E. Putnam on July 6, 1946 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora, Kansas.
Marie and her husband moved to Topeka in 1948. Charlie worked for the Santa Fe Railroad and Marie went to work for Blue Cross/Blue Shield until 1952 when their first daughter, Julie was born. In 1954 they were blessed with a son Michael and in 1958 another daughter, Lori. Marie was busy for the next ten years raising their little ones. In 1970 she enrolled at Washburn University to pursue an education in nursing. She graduated in 1974 from Stormont-Vail School of Nursing and began her nursing career at Topeka State Hospital. WOW! quite an interesting position. In 1975 she moved on to working in the Emergency Room at Santa Fe Memorial Hospital. After two years as a hospital staff nurse Marie entered the field of teaching in 1976 at Kaw Area Technical School while continuing her education acquiring a Baccalaureate Degree in Health Care Management in 1979 from Ottawa University. In 1980 Marie accepted a teaching position at Stormont-Vail School of Nursing while pursuing a Master's Degree in Education from Kansas State University graduating in 1985. Following the closing of Stormont-Vail School of Nursing she returned to Kaw Area Technical School and again continued her education receiving an Educational Specialist Degree from Pittsburg State University in 1991. Marie continued teaching nursing until 1995 when she accepted the position of Coordinator of Nursing Services for the Topeka Public School System, retiring in 2004.
She was a member of the Christ the King Catholic Church, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nurses and Pittsburg State Alumni Association.
Survivors include her three children, Dr. Julie K. Putnam of Carbondale, Dr. Michael C. Putnam of Topeka and Lori M. Vawter, and her husband Rick of Wakarusa, KS; one grandson, Andy Vawter of Wakarusa, KS; her canine companions, Elizabeth, Sophie, Jenni and Itsy; and her feline companion, Mrs. Cat.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie on August 6, 2010; her parents; and a brother, Leo Rothberger.
Marie never met a stranger and enjoyed interacting with others. She possessed a great sense of humor and always had a wonderful smile. She enjoyed vacationing in Branson, Missouri, gardening, sewing, and provided knitting classes in her home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Christ the King Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Topeka.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday at Dove Cremations and Funerals, Southwest Chapel, 3700 SW Wanamaker Rd, Topeka where a Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church, 5973 SW 25th, Topeka, KS 66614.
To leave a special message for Marie's family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marie M. Putnam, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, November 25, 2019
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southwest
Rosary
Monday, November 25, 2019
Starts at 6:00 pm (Central time)
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southwest
Service
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
the King Catholic Church
Guestbook
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