Brent A. Putnam

Brent Allen Putnam   June 10^th, 1967-February 21^st, 2023

On February 27^th, 2023, Brent Allen Putnam, age 55, passed away in his home after a long illness. All services for Brent will be celebrated on Monday, February 27^th, 2023, at Gilbertson’s Funeral Home, Devils Lake. Viewing of the body will be between 10am to 2pm Deacon Robert Greywater will officiate the service. A meal will follow at the White House Café at 3:15.

Brent was born in Dickinson ND on June 10^th, 1967, to Robert and Patricia Putnam. He was raised in many different places in North Dakota and Montana.

As a child, Brent lived with his father, Robert for most of the years, spending summertime with his mother and sisters and his dad Harris Hegg. Brent was happy to exclaim that those summers with his sisters were the best time for him because he would be able to make bonds with his sisters and get into mischief as little boys do. At six years old he got into the tools and cut his own bunkbed in half.

Brent attended elementary and middle school in Dickinson, Mandan and Linton North Dakota and went to school for a time in Pollock, SD while he lived with his aunt Dorothy and uncle Bob Pollock in Pollock South Dakota. Brent loved to talk about his childhood days on the ranch with his father Robert. As a teen, he struggled with school and suffered bullying at school, so Brent spent two years living with his dad Ingemar Johansson and he graduated from Belfield High School in Belfield ND. Brent always said he learned how to be a man from Ingemar and the work ethic he had was from his dad Ingemar.

Brent’s main interests as a young man were rock music and playing drums. His favorite band was Rush. He played his drums for fun and for entertainment. Drumming was his passion and soothed his soul as a young man. He also loved hanging out with friends and having a cold drink. He would attend rock concerts and invite his family and friends along to make the experience even more exciting. He also loved nature and took care of Mother Earth where he could. Cleaning up litter and planting trees was a favorite past time in his younger days.

Brent was a kindhearted person; he would give to anyone who asked if he was able. He was generous to a fault, even as a child. Brent also loved the Lord and held a strong faith. He couldn’t wait to meet Jesus and expressed his passion for Him every time he had the chance. Brent wasn’t one to go to church, but  it was apparent that he loved God. Brent was also very family oriented and reveled in having his family nearby.

Brent married Darlene (Blackbird) Myhre in 1991. He and she created a family and lived in Fort Totten ND where he worked at Dakota Tribal Industries until they closed the doors and then at Sioux Manufacturing. Brent then went on to work at the Spirit Lake Casino as a gaming cashier. He was a hard worker and took great pride in his skills.

Brent married Tammie Robinson in 2010 at the Dakota Baptist Church. He and Tammie made their home in Fort Totten ND, where he helped her with her children and grandchildren, and they loved a dog named Princess. Upon Tammie’s death, Brent moved into Devils Lake ND where he resided until his death.

Brent is preceded in death by his parents, Patricia Anderson, and Robert Putnam. His dad Harris Hegg and his four siblings, Robert and Carmel Putnam, Mitchell Hegg and Debbie Reinhardt.

Brent is survived by his children, Eric Joramo and Jessica Blackbird, Abriel Chanez (Chopper) and Ellie Blackbird (Darlene) and Lynn McKay and Robbie McKay (Tammie). His sisters, Reaba (Kurtis) Mack, Brandy Popelka and Sharene Adams, Elin Johanson, BobbyJo (Myron) Daiker and his brothers Hayden Volk and Simon Johansson and his dad Ingemar Johansson. Many uncles, aunts and cousins as well who will miss him dearly.

The family would like to acknowledge Brent’s caretakers, Kathleen Nelson, his cousins, Kelly Jo Waanatan and Katelyn Christenson who comforted him and kept him company throughout his illness. Cousins Scotty Bull and Chris Cavanaugh Jr. for helping Brent anytime he called. His friends Meda Cavanaugh and Tom Longie, for entertaining Brent and Raymond Skadsem, his friendly neighbor who helped Brent and his sisters by being near and attentive to Brent. The Mormon missionaries who visited weekly.

The family would also like to make a special mention to Edmore Ambulance, Lake Region Ambulance, Spirit Lake Ambulance and Sprit Lake Health Center for always giving Brent top notch care and respecting him in every way.