Monte Putzier, 87, of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away unexpectedly on September 24, 2025. A Memorial Gathering will be held Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 1:00p.m. until 3:00p.m. at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, in our Reception Center. Please park on the north side building for access to our lower level reception center.
Monte Charles Putzier was born on June 6, 1938, in Witten, South Dakota to Orval and Loretta (Green) Putzier. Monte was the second oldest of five siblings, including Harold (“Tom”), Toby, Patsy and Judy. The family eventually moved to the Pierre area, where Monte graduated from Pierre High School in 1958. On July 24, 1960, Monte married Sherry Kay Shiflet in Pierre, SD. The couple welcomed two sons, Scott and Charles. They later moved to Sioux Falls. Throughout the years, Monte was employed as a heavy equipment operator, working on the Oahe Dam and Interstate 229. In 1964, Monte joined the City of Sioux Falls Street Department. After 33 years, Monte retired from the street department as a street maintenance supervisor in 1997.
As his sons grew up, Monte coached them in Y-basketball and softball. Sherry was their ever-present cheerleader. In later years, Monte and Sherry spent many weeks on the road driving to vacation spots all over the country. They also enjoyed attending rodeos and stock shows and seeking out the luckiest casinos. Over the years, Monte and Sherry welcomed two daughters-in-law to the family, Susan and Ann, followed by four cherished grandchildren – Amanda, Catie, Alexandra and Michael. Unfortunately, Sherry passed away much too soon on November 26, 2003. Monte remained in Sioux Falls following Sherry’s passing until his death.
Despite having been involved in a serious car accident in the early 1960s which put him in a wheelchair for a year, Monte remained active with a variety of activities throughout his lifetime. In addition to coaching basketball and softball, Monte spent many hours team penning and participating in trail rides and wagon trains with his beloved horse partner, Dammit. He also enjoyed hunting and caring for his rescue greyhounds and other hunting dogs. Most people who met Monte never forgot him. He always had a joke or a story ready to tell. He was truly a character, in the best sense of the word.
Monte is survived by his sons Scott (Susan) Putzier of Olympia, WA, and Charles (Ann) of Sioux Falls, along with grandchildren Amanda, Alexandra, Catie and Michael. He is also survived by his sister, Pat (Alan) Winter and sister-in-law, Evelyn Putzier. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Sherry, sister Judy Chilstrom, brothers Toby Putzier and Tom Putzier, and sister-in-law Sonya Putzier.
Celebrate a life with the whole community in The Dakota Scout. Contact obits@thedakotascout.com to have your loved one remembered today.