Jeffrey Putikka
1956-2019
Jeffrey Rudolph Putikka, a 62 year old lifelong resident of Sebeka, Minnesota passed away on January 7, 2019 at Sterling Park Care Center in Waite Park, after battling an eight month illness of Encephalitis, Hashimotos and Pancreatic Cancer.
After graduating from Sebeka High School in 1975, Jeff attended three years of Auto Mechanics and Auto Parts Courses at Wadena Vo-Tech.
Jeff was instrumental in caring for his parents, Rudy and Doris Putikka as they aged.
Jeff was employed at Summit Foods/Aviance for the past 22 years as a Food Service Driver out of Park Rapids. He delivered food for the local Senior Citizen Centers for the Meals on Wheels Program.
At the same time, he was also employed at Sebeka City Offices and Liquor Store as a janitor for about five years.
He was also employed at New York Mills Community Action for 14 years as a warehouser.
For a short time in his early days, he was employed at Rife’s Chevrolet as a parts man and mechanic.
Jeff was very proud of his Finnish heritage and loved to speak as much Finn as he could. He was so happy to always provide everybody with Finnish Flatbread.
Jeff was always willing to help everybody and anybody, but never wanted anything in return. Jeff was a selfless individual. He was a terrific son, brother, uncle and friend. He always had a smile on his face and loved to laugh. He was kind, caring, warm hearted, generous, and loved to visit with anyone that would take the time. He had the biggest heart, and he had an endless memory of dates and detail. He loved to watch his Minnesota Vikings and Twins, any chance he got. In his early days, he was an avid snowmobiler and fisherman. These were all qualities that made up Jeff’s Finnish DNA.
The whole Putikka family is honored to claim him as one of their own, and we will all miss him dearly.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Rudy and Doris Putikka; sister, Edith Fearing; niece, Shawna Putikka; and great-nephews: Eric and Justin Hatcher.
Jeff is survived by his sisters: Linda (James) Scholl of Pierz, JoAnn Dodd of Albertville, and Joreen Putikka; brothers-in-law; Darrell Dodd of Elk River, and Glenn Fearing (Donna) of Wadena. He is also survived by eight nieces and seven nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Memorial services will be at the Sebeka United Methodist Church in Sebeka on Saturday, January 19 at 1 p.m. with visitation with the family starting at 12 noon until the time of the service. Inurnment will be at Hay Creek Cemetery at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to Wevley Funeral Home of Sebeka. Online condolences may be left at www.wevleyfuneralhome.com.