Eminent Homemaker
County: Douglas
Erna Putnam, Armour, South Dakota, is described by friends as "an eternal optimist who gets as much out of life as possible." This description fits Erna very well.
Born and raised on a Douglas County farm near Armour, Erna serves her community in many different areas.
She serves on the city council, was a candidate for city mayor, and was the chairman of the Armour Centennial Committee in 1986. Erna has been a member of the Douglas County Extension Board and is currently president of the Douglas County Fair Board. She is active in the Cancer Society, the Historical Society, Deputy Register of Deeds, and the bridge club.
Erna is active in Extension Homemakers and has held offices at the club, district, area, and state levels including president of the South Dakota Extension Homemakers Council for three years. She also served as editor of the council's news publication.
In 1976, the Douglas County Extension Homemakers Council presented Erna with a handmade quilt and a bicentennial plate for her contributions to the organization.
Serving as a 4-H leader, Erna has also judged many 4-H events and "youth-in-action" activities.
Erna is a member and past president of the Altar Society of St. Paul the Apostle Church.
Sharing the honor of Eminent Homemaker with Erna are her husband Leslie, a retired farmer, and their five children: Paul of Fresno, California; Jim of Armour, South Dakota; Pat Mills of Rawlins, Wyoming; Don of Armour, South Dakota; and Ruth of Rawlins, Wyoming.