Ferdinand "Fred" Puetz

Ferdinand “Fred” Puetz, 89, of Rockford, passed away Saturday, May 19, 2018. He was born April 1, 1929, in Duesseldorf, Germany to Ferdinand and Ida (Foehring) Puetz. Fred married Anneliese Franke and had two sons, Dietmar and Ulrich. He came to United States in early spring of 1963 and worked in Rockford as a trained mechanic. Fred worked earlier in his career for Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing and then soon after for Carbide Saw Mill as a service manager, traveling throughout the U.S., Europe, Far East and South America. Fred enjoyed his job immensely and retired from Tieschken Manufacturing at the age of 70. Fred married Dora Lee Warren in 1981, she preceded him in death in 1994. Fred had a passion for music and enjoyed playing the accordion and keyboard. He was a member of the Forest City Polka Band and an original member of the German Society of Rockford. In his younger years Fred played soccer in Germany. Fred was a hardworking man that always provided for his family. He loved working in his yard and enjoying the fruits of his labor on his deck. Fred will be forever remembered as a loving father and opa.
Survived by his sons, Dietmar (Susan) Puetz and Ulrich Puetz; grandchildren, Kevin Puetz, Kyle Puetz and Jordan Puetz; special friends Walter and Erika Kersting, the Willy Goellner Family and Leni Kopischke of Leverkusen Germany. Predeceased by his parents and wife Dora Lee (Warren) Puetz. The family would like to thank the caring doctors and staff at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center and Independence Village.
Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 25, 2018 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 25, 2018 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel. Burial in Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery, 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 26, 2018. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be determined at a later date. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.