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Mass of Christian Burial for Clinton R. Putnam age 89 of Fort Yates, ND will be 11:00 AM Saturday, January 18, 2020 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Fort Yates, ND Inurnment will be at a later date under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be Friday, January 17, 2020, beginning at 5:00 PM with a rosary at 7:00 PM at the church. Clinton passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at Mobridge Regional Hospital in Mobridge.

Clinton was born December 6, 1930 at home to Leslie and Martha (Bales) Putnam. He attended Winona Country School and rode horseback and drove a team to take his siblings to school. Growing up, he helped on the family ranch. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Before his military career, he worked in the gold mines in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Clinton joined the Marine Corp at the age of 20. This was the 1 ^st draft that the Marine Corp ever did. He was lined up for the draft in Fargo, ND (Army & Marines) a Marine placed a hand on his shoulder and said that everyone from Clint on down was now in the Marine Corp. Clint went to Boot Camp in San Diego and was stationed at El Toro Air Station, where he drove truck. While in the Marines, he enjoyed attending pro football games, and playing golf. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corp in 1953.

He returned to North Dakota and began ranching with his close friend, John Harrison, at Fort Yates. While ranching, he began his trucking career out of Rapid City, SD with his brother-in-law Teddy Lawler. During this time, Clint had a saw mill, which he owned with Teddy. The first thing he built was a house for his lovely new wife.

On June 21, 1958 he married Victoria Bennetta Claymore at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Fort Yates, ND. To this union 5 children were born. Clinton and Victoria were foster parents to Mike, Wanda and Donovan St. John. He ranched until 1984, when he sold off his hand-picked red heifers, the last of his cattle.

He enjoyed crossing the river on the ice in the winter to visit his parents. He always checked the ice to make sure that it was thick enough and safe to cross. He and Vicky would walk across the ice and they could see the water running under the pressure ridges. We all endured the crossings in the vehicles, as we got to see his folks.

Clint enjoyed traveling to rodeos and team roping. He had horses until 2011.

In 1967, he started Putnam Excavating, working on many projects on Standing Rock and Cheyenne River. In 1985, while working at the lift station in Fort Yates, he was involved in a trench cave-in that broke both of his legs, when a slab of frozen earth fell on him. In 1997, Clinton decided to retire.

He was baptized Clinton Russell John Putnam on December 12, 2010, his sponsors were daughter, Connie and niece, Alsace.

Clint was a very hard worker, and a prankster by nature. There are many stories of the pranks he has played throughout his life. Clint had a great life, with too many events to be put into words.

Clinton is survived by his wife; of 61 years Victoria (Claymore) Putnam, 2 daughters; Colleen (Chris) Teske, Connie (Tipton) Marshall, 3 sons; Russell (Kari) Putnam, Jonathan (Pam) Putnam, Leslie Putnam, Hunka daughter; Alsace LaFramboise, grandchildren; Erin (Derek) Bird, Desirae Putnam, Ashley (Jeff) Hahn, Samantha Teske, Dakota (Austin) Gruba, Jon Teske, Jade Marshall, Cody Marshall, Amy (Logan) Walla, Alexa Putnam, great-grandchildren; Jonny Putnam, James Bird, August Gruba, Abigail Bird, Tessa Gruba, Bridget Ramirez, Jackson Hahn, brother; Walter Putnam, sisters; Mabel Haynie, Bernice Wagner, Florence Larson, Glennys Ulschak, brothers-in-law; Bob Pollock and Ray Heyne.

He was preceded in death by his father; Leslie Ray Putnam, mother; Sadie Martha Putnam, brothers; Robert Putnam, Grant Putnam, sisters; Nina Lawler, Dorothy Pollock, Norma Heyne, special niece; Tamara Jo LaFramboise, brothers-in-law; Marvin Haynie, Francis Ulschak, Teddy Lawler, Peter Larson.