Virginia Putnam September 4th, 1927 - April 25th, 2017 Virginia Putnam, of Granite Falls, MN, met her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 25, 2017. She died peacefully at the Granite Falls Municipal Hospital, surrounded by loved ones. She lived a happy and full 89 years. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Granite Falls with Rev. John Schultz officiating. Burial will be in the Granite Falls City Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, May 5, 2017, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church and will continue one hour prior to services on Saturday. Virginia Elaine (Rehwaldt) Putnam was born on September 4, 1927, in Yankton, SD, to Reverend Traugott and Renata (Hoffmann) Rehwaldt. The family resided in Yankton until her father took a call at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Granite Falls, MN, when Virginia was a junior in high school. She became part of the community immediately. She was voted Granite Falls homecoming queen and graduated as class valedictorian in 1945. After high school, she moved to Washington DC and worked at the Pentagon for a year. She also attended Valparaiso University and worked at the Montevideo Gas Company and at the 10th Hole Golf Club as cook. On June 6, 1948, Virginia was united in marriage to James LeRoy Putnam at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Granite Falls. Together they raised five wonderful children. Virginia loved to read and worked at the Granite Falls school as the head of the English Resource Center, as a Librarian at the Public Library, and at the Granite Falls Tribune for which her husband was publisher. Virginia also enjoyed gardening, baking, Bridge Club, League of Women's Voters, Campfire Girls, and was a founding member of the Drama Club. She was a talented seamstress and made much of her children's clothing. She was an active member of her church and served as a President of the LWML. She also taught Sunday School and confirmation classes and was a member of the Ladies' Aid, Choir, Bell Choir, and Altar Guild. She exemplified what it means to love the Lord with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. She served God and others whenever, however, and wherever she could. Virginia led a full and rich life, entertaining her family with stories of years gone by and of a life well lived. She was full of wisdom, grace, and most of all, love. She is survived by four children: Stephanee Putnam of Palmdale, CA, Christine (Gerald) Formo of St. Louis Park, MN, Jacquelin (Keith) Aakre of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and James Putnam of Granite Falls, MN; granddaughters: Heidi (Mike) Munson, Jocelyn (Ryan) Butler, Tadra (Andrew) Rex, Andrea Aakre, Johanna (Gustav) Toppenberg, Jessica (Rob) Schaack, Trisha (Cole) Massmann, Cassie (Josh) Helgeson, and Alissa (Matt) Siefkes; grandson-in-law, Chris Ledwick; 16 great-grandchildren and counting; brother, Red (Mary) Rehwaldt of Apple Valley; sister-in-law, Pat Putnam of Eden Prairie; and many nieces and nephews. Virginia awaited the most beautiful and joyous family reunion in Heaven, as she was preceded in death by her husband, James (Jim); son, Ross; granddaughter, Renata Ledwick; brothers: Thomas and Don; and her parents. She leaves behind a legacy of unwavering faith in her Lord and steadfast love for her family. Blessed be her memory. May we make her proud. Clergy Officiating, Rev. John Schultz Organist Congregational Hymns Urn Bearers Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota