William "Bill" Puetz , 84, of Merrill, Iowa, formerly of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at Unity Point Health – St. Luke's in Sioux City.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 24, 2020 at All Saints Catholic Parish – St. James Church in Le Mars.  Reverend Bruce Lawler will celebrate Mass.  Social distancing and wearing a mask will be required.  Burial with military honors provided by the Wasmer American Legion Post 241 of Le Mars will be at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars.  Visitation with the family present will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Monday at the church.  Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.  Expressions of sympathy can extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

William Fidelis Puetz was born June 17, 1936 in Le Mars, Iowa, the son of William and Leona (Heissel) Puetz.  He attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Le Mars until he had to help on the farm.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force on June 17, 1954.  He served his country stateside in Moses Lake, Washington during the Korean Conflict.  While he was in the service, he received his G.E.D. He was honorably discharged on November 11, 1958.

While on leave from the service, he was united in marriage to Joyce Flynn on July 9, 1955 at St. James Catholic Church in Le Mars.  They made their home in Moses Lake, Washington until his discharge from the service, when they returned to Le Mars.  Bill worked in sales for most of his career, working for several businesses in the area.  Later on, he and Joyce owned and operated the Bel Air Motel and King Koin Launderette in Le Mars.  After they sold the business in 1999, they moved to Merrill, Iowa.  In 2018, Bill became a resident of Holy Spirit Retirement Community in Sioux City.

He was a member of All Saints Catholic Parish in Le Mars.  Over the years, he enjoyed camping, fishing, golfing.  He and Joyce enjoyed trying out their luck on the slot machines at the casinos.  One of their favorite past times was going to dinner on Wednesday evenings with their friends and family.  Most of all, he enjoyed the time spent with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of over 65 years, Joyce of Merrill; two sons: Mike (Cindy) Puetz of Cornville, AZ and Jeff Puetz of Sioux City, IA; two daughters: Julie (Dan) Lawrence of Mapleton, IA and Wendy (Doug) von Arb of Maple Lake, MN; 10 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; 2 brothers: Dave Puetz of Le Mars, IA, and Tom Puetz of Lincoln, NE; 3 sisters: Marge (George) Black of Le Mars, IA, Donna Norkitis of Baltimore, MD, and Mary Ellen Farin of Lincoln, NE; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Leona Puetz; his daughter, Sandra Thillen; his grandson, Ryan Lawrence; and a brother, Francis Puetz.