PUTZ, Curtiss E. (1949-1983)

PUTZ, GRUNZKE, POWELL, SCHOTT

Posted By: Hancock Co Genealogical Society
Date: 5/1/2023 at 13:35:43

Former Forest City resident, Curtiss E. Putz, 34, was found murdered May 27 in Waller County, Texas.

Putz died from a shotgun blast to the head and bullet wound to the chest, according to a coroner's report. He had been missing since March 21 and his body was found in a shallow grave in a dense, wooded area about 30 miles from Houston.

Funeral services for Mr. Putz were conducted Wednesday afternoon at the Petersen Funeral home in Forest City. The Rev. Emil Martinson, pastor of Faith Lutheran church in Miller officiated.

Recorded voice of Merrill Womach provided the music. Wray Hallett was the honorary attendant. Graveside military rites were conducted by the Forest City American Legion Post 121. Cremains were interred in the family plot in Madison Township cemetery.

Curtiss E. Putz was born Feb. 12, 1949, in Mankato, Minn., the son of Edwin and Mahaila Grunzke Putz. He started school in Minnesota Lake and in 1957, his parents moved to Garner where he was graduated from high school in 1967.

In 1968, Putz enlisted in the U.S. Army, receiving an assignment with the special forces in Viet Nam. He was discharged in 1970 and returned to work in Stitchcraft Corporation in Forest City.

He later moved to Texas, where for the last eight years he has owned and operated his own fence contracting business in Houston. In 1977, he was married to Debra Powell in Houston. The next year the marriage ended in divorce.

Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Mahaila Putz of Forest City; a sister, Mrs. Paul (Bonnie) Schott of Grey Eagle, Minn.; a brother, Michael Putz of Forest, City; three nephews and a niece.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin Putz, who died Nov. 7, 1982.

source: Summit, Forest City, Iowa, 9 Jun 1983, page A3, column 2