Janet K. Putzer's Obituary
Janet K. Putzer, age 79, of Oshkosh, passed away, surrounded by her family on January 31, 2025. She was born on July 13, 1945 in Oshkosh, the daughter of James and Joan “Bea” (Wright) Rand. Jan attended St. Vincent grade school and went on to graduate from Oshkosh High School in 1963. After high school she began working in the pharmacy at Mercy Hospital so she could pay to attend the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where she graduated with a degree in Medical Technology. Jan married Gregory Putzer on May 15, 1971 at St. Vincent Catholic Church. She would go on to work as a Medical Technologist (now more commonly known as a Medical Laboratory Scientist), at the Oshkosh Clinic, UW-Oshkosh Health Center and for many years at Aurora Medical Center, both in Oshkosh and Neenah.
Besides working in the laboratory, Jan led a very busy life. While working a full-time job she also managed to help in the office at Putzer's Big and Tall, and if that wasn't enough, she became a Master Gardener and started and ran the very first Oshkosh Farmer's Market. Her love of classical music led to her working with and eventually becoming the president of the Oshkosh Symphony League where she co-founded the very successful and popular gift show known as Yule Faire at the Oshkosh Convention Center. She also volunteered as a docent at the Paine Art Center and Gardens.
One of Jan's passions at home was knitting, which she put to good use making countless baby sweaters and hats that she donated to the Aurora Medical Center Gift Shop where she also volunteered for many years after retiring. When Jan wasn't knitting, she was reading, which is why our bookshelves looked like a branch of the Oshkosh Public Library. While Jan loved spending time at their longtime home on Lake Winnebago, she and Greg also loved to travel throughout the U.S., visiting nearly every state more than once. They also made numerous trips outside the U.S. going to England, Ireland and central Europe.
Of all the things that Jan was involved with, her main love was for her family, her children, Andy and Janna, and her sisters and their families. Family always came first. Our house was often the main hub for enormous family get-togethers on the 4th of July and Christmas because of how much Jan enjoyed being surrounded by those she loved.
Jan is survived by her husband of nearly 54 years, Gregory; her son, Andrew Putzer; her daughter, Janna Putzer; sisters, Kathleen (Gary) Nordhaus, Peggy Rand and Jacqueline (Robert) Kossel; brother, James (Sande) Rand; brother-in-law, Gerald (Judy) Putzer; sister-in-law, Beatriz (Kenneth) Putzer; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass for Jan will be held Saturday, February 8, 2025 at St. Raphael Archangel Catholic Church, 830 S. Westhaven Dr, Oshkosh, at 11:00am, with Fr. Tom Long officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00am and go until the time of the mass. The burial service will take place at Sacred Heart Cemetery at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Paine Art Center and Gardens.
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