Eugene Ernest Putzke

Eugene Ernest Putzke, Age 90, of Sebeka, peacefully passed away Feb 13th 2026, surrounded by his family at the Menahga Nursing Home, where he lived for the last 14 months. Eugene was born June 30,1935 in Hennepin County and baptized at the Catholic Cathedral in St. Paul. After a couple of years his mother made the decision of putting him up for adoption. In 1937, Paul and Hattie Putzke adopted Eugene, and they made their home in Osage, Minnesota. After a while they came to Sebeka and bought a farm where he was raised and spent the rest of his life.

Eugene graduated from the Sebeka School in 1954. He worked many different jobs including Land O’Lakes before becoming a full-time farmer. He met the love of his life, Sandra Schmitz, at the local waterhole in Sebeka. They were united in marriage on August 11, 1962, at the Assumption of our Lady Catholic Church in Menahga. They made their life and raised their children on the family dairy farm. Eugene retired from farming in 2000, but yet he still had farming in his blood; so, he went to work in the potato fields for RDO. From there, he went to work at the Sebeka School doing janitorial work and mowing the school lawn. Mainly, he loved to see his grandkids while he was working. He fully retired after 20 years being a janitor, at the age of eighty. In the 1980’s, Eugene was a school board member, He was also an active member of St. Hubert’s Catholic Church, where he was a member of the Holy Names Society, an usher and sang in the choir.

In the wintertime, he liked to put models and puzzles together. He considered Sundays to be family fun days. Almost every Sunday was spent with the Louie Hinders’ family at the Crow Wing River having some of the best times. He loved going to the Minnesota State Fair every year to eat and people watch. Eugene and Sandy also spent many times going to different area lakes paddle boating. In 2001, he finally found and met his brother Buck and his sister ClairAnn. While Eugene was a resident of the nursing home, he loved his visits with Rick Mattson, especially those times Rick would bring his dog, Oscar, along.

Eugene is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sandra; son, Scott (Lynn) Putzke of Sebeka; two daughters, Jaccie (Rick) Nelson of Sebeka and Janelle (David) Ahlgren of Rice; Twelve grandchildren, Adrienne, Whitney, Josh, Allyson, Cassie, Jacob, Katie, Dakota, Kaleb, Olivia, Erica, and Sammie; nine great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Keith (Diane) Schmitz of Park Rapids; sisters-in-law, Linda (George) Lilly of Nimrod and June Schmitz of Carlton, and other relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Hattie; son Tony; a brother-in-law Dennis Schmitz and nephew, Tom Schmitz.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, March 6, 2026 at 11 AM at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church in Bluegrass; Visitation from 9-11AM with a Rosary at 10:30. Committal will take place at St. Hubert’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

Wevley Funeral Home of Sebeka, is entrusted with arrangements.