After a short, but courageous, battle with cancer, Diann (Rosalie) Putland peacefully passed away on February 19, 2015 at the age of 72 years. During her illness, she never lost her sense of humor and there were many bouts of laughter. Diann was born on October 12, 1942 in Esterhazy, SK, the daughter of Emil and Elizabeth (nee: Schmidt) Kitsch. She attended elementary school north of Langenburg, SK and completed High school in Langenburg. Diann was baptised on October 25, 1942 and confirmed on May 25, 1958 into the Lutheran Church. Diann married Denis Putland of Churchbridge, SK on July 24, 1964. After their marriage, they lived for 50 years on the family farm south of Churchbridge where they raised their daughter, Roslyn Bourak and their son, Ross Putland. Under the guidance of her mother in-law, Diann became an avid gardener, a pleasure which blossomed into a love of flowers. Diann was bitten by the lily bug later in life and started growing lilies for sale. She also started crossing lily lines and developed and registered some of her very own varieties. When the workload got too heavy she stopped selling them and grew them for enjoyment only. In addition to the lily field, she also maintained a large yard with many perennial flower beds. In 2014 they sold their farm yard and moved into Diann's dream home in Churchbridge where a vast array of lilies and perennials followed her into their town garden. During her life she was active in the Potashville Music Festival, Lutheran Women's Missionary League, the local Business Association, the Provincial Horticulture Association, the Provincial Lily Associations and the North American Lily Association. Diann leaves to mourn her passing and cherish her memory, her husband, Denis; her daughter, Roslyn and John Bourak and grandson Jordan Bourak; her son Ross, and Tammy Putland; her sister, Yvonne, brother, Glenn and Laurie Kitsch, sister, Myrna and Greg Schick and sister, Marilyn Phipps; brother-in-law, Jim Millham. She was predeceased by her parents, Emil and Elizabeth Kitsch, and her sister, Beverly Millham. Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 from Trinity Lutheran Church in Churchbridge, SK with Reverend Jeff Dul officiating. The organist, Alice Johnson, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Chief of Sinners Thou I Be", "Amazing Grace" and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives". Soloist, Vallery Putland sang "Behold a Host, Arrayed in White". Following a luncheon in the Churchbridge Town Hall, the Interment Service took place in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens, Garden of St. Matthew, Yorkton, SK with Roy Phillips serving as the urn bearer. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
