Wilma Putzier

Dates

Obituary

Wilma Putzier, 94, of Bridgewater, SD, formerly of Mitchell and Alexandria, SD, died October 4, 2025 at Diamond Care Center, Bridgewater, SD. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 11, at Bittner Funeral Chapel, with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell.

Wilma Gertrude (Moe) Putzier was born on November 8, 1930 at Alexandria, SD to Chester and Myrl (Peck) Moe, the fourth of six children.  Wilma attended Fairview #1 School in Hanson County through eighth grade and graduated from Alexandria High School in 1948.  She attended Girls State in 1947, which was the first year Girls State was held. She was the salutatorian of her graduating class and participated in chorus and band.  She attended the National 4-H Club Congress in 1947.  She continued her education at General Beadle State College in the summer of 1948 and subsequent summers and  was awarded the Rural Schoolteacher Award in 1986.  She taught at Beaver #38 in Miner County from 1948-1950.  She then taught at Fairview #1 in Hanson County from 1950-51.  She also taught at Wayne #1 in Hanson County for five years and Worthen #1 in Hanson County for five years.  She has many fond memories of her former students and her teaching days but always “taught” many life-long skills and lessons to everyone.

Wilma was united in marriage to Roy Putzier on June 17, 1951, at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, Alexandria, SD and raised five children along with being a farm wife and partner.  The couple farmed in the Alexandria and Spencer areas and later owned and operated Roy and Wilma Tours and traveled all over the United States, Canada, and overseas.  She enjoyed reading, sewing, playing cards, and getting together with neighbors and family for social gatherings.  She was a member of the Happy Go Getters extension club and the community club.  Wilma was a member of the Jolly Workers 4-H Club and later a leader for the Jolly Workers and Whistling Westsiders 4-H Clubs. 

Wilma was also active in Farmers Union for many years as the District 2 Educational Director and was the South Dakota Farmers Union State Education Director from 1970-1981.  She then was the South Dakota Farmers Union Tour Director from 1981-1983 and then owned Roy and Wilma Tours from 1983-1998.  Wilma had traveled to all 50 states, all Canadian provinces, Mexico several times, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Lichenstein, Italy, Iceland, and the Caribbean on a cruise. She has many good memories of both organizations with 4-H county events and the State Fair along with numerous county, state, and national Farmers Union camps and events along with their own tour business. 

Wilma also helped build Rosewood Court in Mitchell, SD as an assisted living facility and then later took care of elderly people in her homes in Mitchell, SD.  She loved taking care of others and continued to help those in the nursing home where she was a resident.  She loved doing crafts, crocheting, and collecting bells.  She continued to do crafts throughout her time at the nursing home, making numerous “card pictures,” which she gave to those around her.

Those grateful for sharing her life are two daughters: Susan Walter of Mitchell, SD and Joan Kerns of Mitchell, SD; two sons:  Duane (Rebecca) Putzier of Mitchell, SD and Lynn Putzier of Mitchell, SD; nine grandchildren: Amy (Walter) Brown and husband Larry of Pinellas Park, FL; Kari (Walter) Larson and husband Keven of Minneota, MN; Ryan (Jenny) Walter of Sioux Falls, SD; Renee (Walter) Koerner and husband Levi of Mitchell, SD; Carmen Kerns of Sioux Falls, SD; Krista Kerns and significant other Clyle Badger of Pierre, SD; Kelsey Kerns of Mitchell, SD; Megan (Putzier) Nuttbrock and husband Cody of Willow Lake, SD; and Tara Putzier and significant other Terry Arend of Hartford, SD; two step grandchildren:  Morgan (Moore) Crum and husband Jake of Letcher, SD; and Zach (Lacie) Moore of Appleton,WI; thirteen great grandchildren:  Alex Brown, Chad Brown, Sydney (Larson) Tanner and husband Landon, Ava Larson, Brody Larson, Hannah Walter, Blake Walter, Elle Walter, Lucien Kerns, Slade Badger, Remi Badger, Colton Nuttbrock, and Hattie Nuttbrock; one step great grandson:  Isaac Rowlinson; one great great grandson Baker Tanner; and brother Robert (Norma) Moe. 

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband Roy; son Leigh; son-in-law Ronald Walter; brothers Earl Moe and Roy Moe; sisters Frances Pitts and Ethel Williams; brothers-in-law Merlin Williams and Everett Pitts; and sisters-in-law Margaret Moe and Phyllis Moe.

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