Cora (Summy) Putnam (1872-1965)

SUMMY, PUTNAM, SANFORD, BARTELSON, MCELVOGUE

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 7/20/2021 at 23:15:35

Cora Putnam, the daughter of Aaron and Nancy Summy, was born in Pleasant Valley in Jo Davies County, Illinois, September 10, 1872, and departed from this life while a resident in Rest Haven Manor in Primghar, Iowa, on September 3, 1965.

At the age of seven years, her parents moved to Nora, Illinois. She graduated from high school in 1890. After eaching in a rural school one year, she came to Everly, Iowa, making her home with an aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Tusler. She taught in the rural schools of Clay and O'Brien counties for nine years.

On April 2, 1896, she was united in marriage to Mr. Lewis L. Putnam, the wedding having taken place in Everly. Two sons were born to this union: Hobart and Lewis Faye. The family resided on farms in Clay and O'Brien counties until 1914, when they moved to Hartley so their sons could attend high school.

At the age of twelve, she became a member of the Methodist church in Nora, Illinois. Following her coming to Iowa, her membership was transferred to the Everly church, and later to the Hartley church.

Mrs. Putnam found much enjoyment in serving the church and the Sunday School. In 1918, the Home Missionary Society was organized. She as its first secretary and later its president. She sponsored the Queen Esther work for girls and the Home Guard work for boys. She served as District Secretary of Supply for the Home Missionary Society for several years. In the early years of the Covey Church, she helped reorganize its services and its Sunday School. Of an original Sunday School class of thirty-two, only two remain, according to her recent observation. She had been a member of the Rebekah Lodge for fifty years.

Mrs. Putnam loved her home. She enjoyed her plants and work in the garden. In the later twilight of her life, she depended upon her family, desiring to be with her son and daughter-in-law. She held a continued interest in the grandchildren, their families, and her many friends and neighbors.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband on December 15, 1954; a son, Lewis Faye; three brothers, one in infancy and two others, Roy and Earl; two sisters, Stella and Emma.

Those who remain to cherish her memory are a son, Mr. Hobart Putnam of Hartley, Iowa; three brothers. Dr. C.E. Summy of Paullina, Iowa, Mr. Willard Summy of Red Bluff, California, and Mr. Clinton Summy of Davenport, Iowa; three granddaughters: Mrs Bruce (Carol) Sanford of Des Moines, Iowa, and Mrs. Larry (Dorathy) Bartelson of Pleasanton, California; four great grandchildren, Linda and Craig Sanford and JoAnn and Jimmie McElvogue; nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services under the direction of Baumgartens were held in the Hartley Methodist Church on Sunday afternoon, September 5, 1965. The Rev. Warren A. Bintz, pastor of the Sutherland Methodist Church, was in charge. Interment was made in the Hartley cemetery.

Hartley (Iowa) Sentinel, 9 Sep 1975, p2