Mary E. Putzer's Obituary
“I praise you, Father, and I glorify you, for you have … revealed [these things] to the childlike.” - Matthew 11:25
OSHKOSH — Mary Ellen (nee Fleischman) Putzer, 68, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of her family Aug. 1, 2026, on what would have been her father’s 96th birthday, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Mary was born Jan. 28, 1958, the younger twin sister of Mark, to Mary Jane (nee Skarlupka) and Elmer Fleischman, in Antigo, Wis. She was the fifth in what would become a family of 15 siblings.
The Fleischman family moved to a dairy farm in Wausaukee, Wis., when Mary was in the third grade. She graduated valedictorian from Crivitz High School in 1976, before going on to the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Art. It was while attending Mass at the university’s Newman Center that she met David James Putzer, a recently graduated business major and accountant. Ever studious, Mary graduated Magna Cum Laude in just three years so that she could marry Dave on June 15, 1979.
Mary was a lifelong Catholic, who embraced her identity as a beloved daughter of God the Father by daily living out her vocation of wife and mother, while constantly placing the Lord first. Even while raising four kids under age 6, she frequented daily Mass, consecrated the entire family to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Most Immaculate Heart of Mary, and shared her lifelong devotion to the intercession of the Virgin Mary through the Rosary. Her final days were filled with much prayer and the daily reception of the Eucharist.
She was masterful in the art of leisure, pursuing activities that were worthwhile for their own sake. Her children have fond memories of being sung songs to help them get to sleep every night after storytime in the middle hall, as well as songs to accompany daily activities and the seasons of the year. Celebrations were her specialty! Mary exercised her artistic and creative talents regularly through the memorable ways in which she engaged the family in the liturgical and devotional life of the Church, the extraordinary games and activities she crafted for her children and grandchildren, the exquisite cakes she made for many occasions — including Holy days as well as birthdays — and the personalized parties she threw, always for the intimacy of the family, driven by a love of silliness (hinky dinks) and laughter. Most memorably, she threw a “pox party“ when her four kids came down with chickenpox in the hot, un-air-conditioned summer of 1988, doing everything she could to keep them cool and distracted from itching, and celebrating those who had the most spots. The birthday string hunts she invented for her kids have become a tradition carried on with all of her grandchildren.
Throughout her adult life, Mary was an educator. Out of college she taught at Catholic Central Elementary in Appleton until the birth of her daughter, and resumed teaching in 1996-1997 at Saint Francis Cabrini Elementary in Oshkosh. She also was an occasional homeschool and substitute teacher. Most especially she engaged her grandchildren in educational activities, displaying her own tenderness and childlike curiosity that was individual and unique to each relationship.
Those who knew Mary well recognize how competitive she was. Her kids remember the games she would create, with accompanying rules she seemed to make just to break them — not using the hose for water fights, for example. Mary greatly enjoyed and excelled at the numerous card and strategic board games her kids brought home to teach her in their adult lives. In her younger years, she enjoyed playing tennis doubles with Dave and her sister and brother-in-law, Lanita and Wayne Schwartz, which advanced in more recent years into pickleball, a sport she enjoyed with her grandchildren until her illness sent her to the sidelines. But the sidelines were not a strange place for Mary, as she had been for years “Dave’s No. 1 fan” at Wednesday night bowling league and Nationals tournaments, as well as at numerous softball games and all of her children’s sporting endeavors. She even enjoyed pickleball in this capacity, often cheering on the fire station No. 14 crew during their off hours. Her joyful enthusiasm will be missed by many.
Mary had an extraordinary generosity, which she shared through her love of “thrifting then gifting” her great yard-sale finds to her children and siblings. She put all of her energy into each new endeavor, and never stopped educating herself on whatever engaged her or her family‘s life, to the point of learning Italian when Msgr. John was sent to Italy for further studies. She appreciated the cultural gifts she received from new acquaintances around the world. Despite successful experimentation with holistic recipes, Mary never considered herself a baker, but those who tried her delicious and innovative desserts know otherwise.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Mary Jane (nee Skarlupka) Fleischman; her parents-in-law, Robert and Cecilia (nee Noe) Putzer; siblings Kevin Fleischman and Rose Holtz; siblings-in-law Dale Fleischman and Chad Atwood; nieces and nephews Jessica Fleischman, Kevin Delp, Theresa, Tina and Timothy Holtz, Hannah Resch and Frankie Phillips; and two unborn grandbabies, Mariana and Brigitta Putzer.
She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, David; her children, Laura (Scott) Haraldson, Steven (Alexandra) Putzer, Monsignor John Putzer; and Kevin (Samantha) Putzer; nine grandchildren, Ella, Coraline, Liliana, and Sebastian Haraldson, Joseph, Jane, Felicity and Joy Putzer, and Finnick Putzer, each of whom she admired for their unique gifts and the joy they brought to her life; siblings Elmer Fleischman Jr., Lanita (Wayne) Schwartz, Mark Fleischman, Alice Fleischman, Henry Fleischman, Heidi (Ted) Richmond, Christopher (Theresa) Fleischman, Jay (Kendall) Fleischman, Margie Atwood, Beth (Patrick) Phillips, Amy (William) Gramins and Jonathan (Clara) Fleischman; siblings-in-law Clarice (Edward) Warnke, Charles (Mary Boucher) Putzer and Michael (Mary) Putzer; and countless nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
Dave and the kids wish to extend their deepest gratitude to the offices of Drs. Heinzen and Heraly; the second floor and radiology staff at Ascension Hospital; and all of the tender caregivers at Heartland Hospice. Most especially they thank everyone for all the prayers, most notably from Fr. Louis and the staff and parishioners at St. Jude Parish, as well as the countless prayers coming from as far away as Minnesota, Canada, and throughout Europe.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM at Saint Jude Parish, Saint Vincent site (1225 Oregon St.), on Friday, Aug. 7, with Monsignor John Putzer presiding. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM Thursday, Aug. 6, at Fiss & Bills- Poklasny Funeral Home (865 S. Westhaven Dr.), with a Vigil Prayer Service and Rosary beginning at 7 PM, and again from 9 to 11 AM Friday, Aug.7, at the church. In lieu of flowers, Mary strongly desired donations be made to the Saint Carlo Acutis/Sacred Heart Adoration Chapel at Saint Jude Parish. https://giving.myparishsoft.io//app/giving/WeShare-1774?tab=home Click on “Give Now,” then select the Sacred Heart Adoration Chapel option under “Fund,” or make checks payable to Saint Jude Parish and mention Mary Putzer or the Adoration Chapel in the memo line.
“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for unto these belong the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 19:14
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