Madge Putikka

With heavy hearts, but an abundance of love, the family of Madge Barbara Putikka announces her passing on June 24th, 2025 at the age of 90 years old.

Madge was born on March 30, 1935 to Adrian and Rachel (Dear Holt) Morton in Wing River Township in Verndale, MN. She attended District 57 Country School through eighth grade. Wanting to further her education, Madge nannied for a family in Wadena and graduated from Wadena High School in 1953. Her first job was at Wadena REA where she took great pride in her work and was admired for her work ethic and adored by many customers and co-workers.

She met Darwin Borchert, they married and set off on a new and exciting adventure to Territory of Alaska. What wonderful stories Madge shared about Alaska!

She loved and cherished her role as mother to her five children, Darliss (John) Hagge of Fergus Falls, MN, Diane Skaalrud, of Zwolle, LA, John Borchert, of Fargo, ND, Jackie (Keith) Geiser, of Bluffton, MN and Jason Borchert, of New York Mills, MN.

She married Melvin Putikka in 1979 and moved to New York Mills. She enjoyed her country home, gardening, baking and making memories with her ten grandchildren, Justin Borchert, Stephani Polman, Andrew Geiser, Jake Geiser, Taylor Geiser, Star Borchert, Jasper Borchert, Tom Hagge, Jack Geiser, and Jenna Borchert, and ten great-grandchildren. Oh how she loved her special times with kids! She was affectionately known as “Peace Grandma” because of her signature peace sign goodbye.

Madge thoroughly enjoyed the annual “Momma-palooza” weekend where three generations gathered to celebrate Madge. Her yard turned into a temporary campground where we shared stories around the campfire, food, music, and most of all—an abundance of laughter and love.

She is survived by her sister Nellie Samms, Lillie Morton, Flossie Sowers, Laura Kolb and brother Bob Morton.

Preceding her in death were her parents Adrian and Rachel Morton, her husband Melvin Putikka, her brother Adrian Morton, Hank & Stanley Morton, and grandson Jake Geiser.

The family wishes to thank the entire staff at Like Mother Like Daughter in Perham, MN for their compassionate and loving care of our mom throughout the last two years. They always treated “The Queen” with affection, love, dignity and respect. She loved it there!

Thank you to Moments Hospice for making mom’s final days peaceful and comfortable.

A family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Madge Putikka, please visit our floral store.