Oliver Putikka

Oliver’s Last Dispatch and Run Oliver passed away February 15, 2012 at the age of 94 and 57 days with his loving family around him at his home in Wadena, MN. He was born on the farm in Blowers Township, Otter Tail County to Matt & Lydia Kamunen Putikka December 19, 1917. His mother passed away October 1920 and his grandparents took him in, as his father left him. His grandparents passed away in 1929 and Oliver stayed with his uncle Victor & Hilma Putikka until he went into the service. He graduated from 8th grade in 1933 at Hay Creek School District #219 in Blowers Township, Otter Tail County. He was drafted into the U.S. Army October 1941 and landed in North West Africa on November 8th, 1942, the first Amphibian landing of the war and from there to Italy, then up southern France and to Germany. He has an African and European Service Ribbon with 4 Bronze Stars and an Arrow Head for Amphibian landing, also Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, American Defense Medal, Victory Service Medal, 6 Overseas Service Bars and a Plaque from the French Government and a Unit Citation. He received his Honorable Discharge at Camp McCoy, WI on October 9, 1945 and had four years without leaves. He started driving for Northern Coop in the fall of 1945, which lasted for 37 years and almost 3,000,000 miles and has a 2,000,000 mile safety plaque from National Safety Council of Chicago, IL. Oliver was married first time to Mildred Vik September 1950. She passed away in1977 with two boys being born to them. Stephen Arthur passed away within 2 days and William Oliver is a Physics Professor at Ohio State University. Oliver married a second time to Gladys Pitcher on August 14th, 1982 the year he also retired. They did a lot of traveling, Hawaii, Scandinavian tour, 7 day Caribbean Cruise, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Alaskan Tour, Nova Scotia Tour, Florida and Bahama Tour, Washington DC, South West and Mexico Tour, Branson, New Jersey, Utah, State of Washington, plus many trips to Jamestown and Superior. Oliver also made 6 trips to Finland to visit relatives. Oliver was a member of St John Lutheran Church, American Legion in Sebeka, was 20 years on the Credit Union Board, Life member of VFW Post 3922. Was commander 3 times and made all State Commander 3 times. Was active in the VFW, was on the Color Guard for 40 years for parades and funerals. His hobbies were traveling, fishing, hunting, taking care of alot of flowers, yard work and volunteering for Meals on Wheels and help at the club. Survivors include his wife Gladys, son William, wife Kimberly and granddaughter Elizabeth Putikka of Columbus, OH; brother John Putikka of Grand Rapids, MN; Onni Putikka of Grand Rapids, MN; sister Edith Swenson, Lebanon, New Jersey; step son Ken and Marge Pitcher of Glenwood, MN; step daughter Edna and Vern Van Orsdel of Wadena, MN; step daughter Diane and Jerry Crabb of Sebeka, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, foster parents, wife, 1 son, 5 sisters and 2 brothers. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on February 18, 2012, St John Lutheran Church in Wadena with Pastor Stephen Meltzer presiding. Burial will be at the Wadena Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the VFW Post 3922 Honor Guard of Wadena and the MN Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Oliver Putikka

December 19, 1917 - February 15, 2012