Irvin Delmar “Zeke” Putzier, nearly 90, was born November 21, 1933, in Carter, SD, to Irvin and Ethel Putzier. He was the fourth of ten children. He fell asleep in death on October 19, 2023, after many years of health problems, including Parkinson’s and heart disease, surrounded by loving family and friends, and the caring nursing staff at Seven Sisters Living Center, where he spent the last few weeks of his life. Of all the things Irvin loved, he loved his God Jehovah the most. After a deep study of the Bible, he made a personal decision at 20 years old to dedicate his life to Jehovah and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses on July 31, 1954. He had strong faith in the Bible-based hope that soon, “The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.” (Psalm 37: 29) Whether it was formally going door-to-door to teach his Bible hope or sharing informally with anyone he met, he was happy to tell others about the wonderful things Jehovah has in store for mankind. His special love was for time spent on the reservation and his love for young ones. Irvin met Mavis Rohrbach at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses when he started attending meetings in Ipswich, SD. Even after moving to Coeur d’Alene, ID, 1955, a forever friendship developed that led to their marriage July 7, 1957. They spent their first year of married life in Coeur d’Alene. In 1958 they moved to Hot Springs, SD, to assist with the congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which was very small at the time. He worked at various jobs, including carpentry and windshield repair, to support their family and ministry, which were the most important things in his life. They welcomed three daughters, Lori Lynn, Anita Jean, and Ronda Renae. In 1988, they were privileged to welcome a “son”, Will Alan Ames, into their home as a teenager.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Mavis, of over 66 wonderful years, his three daughters: Lori (Scott) Hotzel of Belgrade, MT, Anita (Randy) Goddard of Hot Springs, SD, and Ronda (Patrick) Speers of Powhatan, VA; daughter-in-law, Carisa Ames; grandchildren: Keturah (LaMoyne) Herrmann, Cassia (Max) Jirsa, Simeon (Mistie) Goddard, Tabitha (Frank) Aquino, Isaac (Ashley) Goddard, and Cameo Ames; great grandchildren: Rosalyn and Colten Herrmann, Brodi and Eli Jirsa, Liam, Libby, Leonidas, and Lucas Goddard, Levi Aquino, (soon to come) and Cameo Ames; brother: Galen (Suzie) Putzier; sisters: Joanie Bangma, and Holly Littlejohn: brother-in-law: Milbert Rohrbach; sisters-in-law: Ethel Putzier, and Helga Rohrbach; he also had many nieces, nephews, and many, many others that he considered brothers, and sisters, sons, daughters, and grandchildren over his lifetime that he loved so much.
Irvin was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin and Ethel Putzier; brothers; Marvin (Carol), Rollin (Judy), and Carl Putzier; sisters: Colleen (Tom) Kemmer, Sharon Rohrbach, and Shiela Skidmore; and “son” Will Ames; brothers-in law: Ruben (Lorraine) Rohrbach, Erhart (Darlene) Rohrbach, and Raymond Rohrbach.
Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses Hall at 2600 SD Hwy 71 South in Hot Springs, SD.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
