Doris Putnam

Doris Putnam loved camping trips, baking and quilting, and singing. Most of all, however, she loved her family. Whether it was cooking a delicious meal or cheering at a football game, Doris spent her life finding all kinds of ways, big and small, to support her family. She was never happier than when spending time with her family members, and was blessed to spend her eighty-three years on this earth surrounded by those she loved. Doris was born on October 7, 1928, to proud parents Merle and Marian (Carlson) Brott. The Brott family lived in Muskegon, Michigan, where Merle supported his family as an engineer with the Grand Trunk Railroad. Marian stayed at home to raise the children in addition to Doris, they had a daughter, Beverly, and a son, Marvin. Doris grew up in the Lakeside neighborhood, where she attended local Bunker School. The family belonged to Lakeside Baptist Church, where Doris enjoyed singing in the choir. After Doris graduated from Muskegon High School in 1946, she started working at Shaw Walker as a receptionist. One evening after work, her friends set her up on a blind date with a young man named Earl Putnam. Doris and Earl hit it off right away, and starting dating. They soon decided they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together, and were married on September 17, 1949. Doris and Earl settled down into married life in East Lansing, Michigan. They lived in a trailer near Michigan State University, where Earl was studying to become an electrical engineer. Before they knew it, Doris and Earl became expectant parents, and their little family grew to include a new member: a son, Lawrence. After Lawrences birth, the family moved back to Muskegon. Back in Muskegon, Doris and Earl purchased a house on Sternberg Road in Norton Shores, where Doris would live for the next thirty-five years. In the years to come, Doris and Earl were blessed with five more children: Janice, Thomas, Daniel, Mark, and Julie. Their house grew along with the family, as Earl added additions to make room for everyone. Doris was a wonderful mother, loving and dedicated. She supported her kids in all their endeavors attending concerts and sporting events, being a Cub Scout Den Mother, and even serving as president of the PTA. At home, she was a fantastic cook, famous for her delicious bread, pies, and cakes (all from scratch). All the neighborhood kids loved coming to the Putnam house for snacks, and Mark turned a tidy profit by auctioning off his home-made lunches in the school lunchroom! Doris was also an excellent seamstress, and made clothes for the kids as well as professional-quality suits for Earl to wear to work. After her children were old enough to go to school, Doris took a job as food services manager for the Mona Shores School System. She provided delicious meals for the children of Hile School and later South Shores Junior High for the next twenty-two years. Doris enjoyed her work, as well as the people she worked with, and made many lifelong friendships. On weekends and holidays, the Putnam family loved to go camping. Over the years, they worked their way up from an old Army tent to a pop-up camper and finally a motorhome. Sometimes Doris and the kids would camp for up to a month at a time, while Earl commuted to work. A few of their favorite campsites were Pioneer Park of Muskegon and Hamlin Lake of Ludington. As the children grew older and started families of their own, Doris and Earl would take them along on camping trips across the country. They were dedicated adventurers, eventually visiting every state except Alaska. Back at home, Doris enjoyed singing in the Sweet Adelines female chorus, as well as a quartet in the 1960s and 70s. In her later years, she picked up quilting, and made many beautiful quilts. Generous as always, she rarely kept the quilts for herself, instead giving them away to family and friends. In 1986, Doris and Earl sold their house and moved into a home on Big Blue Lake, just north of Muskegon. Their door was always open to family and friends, and they loved having people to visit. After her retirement in 1991, Doris had more time for traveling, and she and Earl continued to go on camping trips. In the winters, they escaped the cold by traveling south to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Sadly, Earls health began to deteriorate, and he passed away in 2000. After his death, Doris decided to sell the house and move to Montague, where she could be closer to family. Her grandson, Allen, played for the Montague football team, and Doris became a loyal fan. She never missed a game, and often baked treats for the whole team, earning herself the nickname of the Cookie Lady. She even made several trips to the Yooper Dome for games in the play-off series. A few years later, Doris moved again, this time to a condo in Spring Lake, Michigan, where she also had family. She joined the Lakeshore Fellowship Church, where she made many good friends. As the years went by, Doris began to slow down, especially as her eyesight was affected. Fortunately, her granddaughters were always willing to lend a helping hand, doing errands or driving Doris wherever she needed to go. Doris loved spending time with her grandchildren, and passed on her sewing and culinary talents to them. Outgoing, kind-hearted, and generous, Doris was a loving wife, a devoted mother and grandmother, and a loyal friend. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her many dear friends and family members. Mrs. Doris E. Putnam passed away on May 17, 2012, at the age of 83. Doriss family includes her sons, Lawrence "Pete" (Barbara) Putnam of Schoolcraft, Thomas (Carol) Putnam of Fruitport, Daniel (Cathy) Putnam of Fruitport, and Mark Putnam of Montague; her daughters, Janice (Clyde) Westra of Walker and Julie (Robert) Kieft of Whitehall; 14 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and her brother, Marvin (Carol) Brott of Muskegon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl, in 2000; her parents; and her sister, Beverly. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 21, with visitation Sunday, from 2:00-4:00 PM at Lakeshore Fellowship Church, 16790 Van Wagoner Rd., Spring Lake and one hour prior to the service. Rev. Chris Boehnke will officiate. Memorial donations may be made to the Harbor Hospice. Please visit Doriss personal memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com, where you can learn more about her life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.