Dorothy Dean Putnam, the daughter of Russell Edward and Mildred Emiline (Westerlund) DeWitt was born April 19, 1923 near Elliott, Iowa and died May 12, 2012 at the Griswold Care Center in Griswold, Iowa at the age of 89 years and 23 days.

Dorothy attended country school and then Elliott High School, where she played basketball. On November 9, 1938 she was united in marriage to Leon LeRoy Putnam. They lived in the Elliott and Griswold area before moving to Denison. While living in Denison, Dorothy worked at Crawford Country Hospital as a surgical clerk. After retiring, they returned to Griswold. Dorothy maintained her own home until several years ago, when she moved to assisted living.

Dorothy was a member of the Griswold United Methodist Church where she had been active in the UMW. She enjoyed golfing, bowling, and gardening. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents; her brother and sister-in-law Max and Marcella DeWitt and her son-in-law Bruce Oles.

She is survived by her husband Leon of Griswold; her children and their spouses: Jerry Putnam and wife Shiona of Griswold, IA, Sharon Oles of Griswold, IA, Leon L. Putnam, JR. and wife Marla of Peoria, AZ, Judy Robberts and husband Ken of Lyman, IA, and Debbie McAfee and husband Ralph of St. Petersburg, FL; her grandchildren: Barry, Tracy, Jeff, Terri, Mary, Kristie, Kathie, Kyle, Stephanie, Andrea, and Christian; and many great & great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 10:30 AM at the Griswold United Methodist Church. An open visitation will be held at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold. The family will be present to receive friends from 6:00-7:30 on Wednesday. Interment will be at the Griswold Cemetery.