Warren Puhl
Warren H. Puhl, age 86, of Menomonie, went home to be with his Lord on September 20, 2025, having been comforted by family in the days preceding his death from complications of VEXAS, a rare and newly-discovered autoimmune disorder.
Warren was born in Menomonie on December 1, 1938, to Harold and Edel (Trandum) Puhl. The family later moved to Colfax where he attended grade school and high school, graduating near the top of his class in 1957.
His younger years were often spent with his cousins and siblings and included many memorable experiences hunting, fishing and exploring the two family farms in Running Valley, where his mother was raised. As a senior in high school, Warren was class president, selected as a representative to Badger Boys State, and an active participant in school activities such as football and various clubs.
After attaining his BS degree in chemistry with teaching credentials from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1961, he taught in the Dor-Abby School District where he would meet his future wife, Muriel. After obtaining his master’s degree in 1964 from Highlands University, Las Vegas, New Mexico, Warren taught in Bruce, before marrying Muriel the following year in 1965 at Christ Lutheran Church in Abbotsford.
After living for one year in Menomonie while he taught at UW-Stout, their journey continued to Minneapolis, where Warren earned a PhD degree in inorganic chemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1970. While teaching at Winona State University, son Scott was born and later daughter Kim while teaching at Iowa Lakes Community College. His career trajectory took a turn when he sold insurance for AAL in Iowa, but shortly after daughter Kristen was born, his love of teaching called him back to Wisconsin, where he would teach chemistry at Menomonie High School for 30 years until his retirement in 2008.
Many students fondly remember “Doc” Puhl as a kind, caring teacher with a gentle spirit and a “twinkle in his eye,” who exhibited remarkable patience and an ability to make a difficult subject fun, inspiring many students to further their studies in science-related fields. In retirement, Warren’s grandchildren were his littlest students, blessed to be the beneficiaries of his love of teaching and learning. Warren loved bringing his family to the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan, and being active with the shut-ins ministry at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. His faith was an important part of his life and he received much joy from his involvement in his congregation.
Warren is survived by his wife Muriel; son Scott; daughter Kim (Troy) Perry and daughter Kristen (David) Berger; grandchildren: Noah Perry, and Owen and Annie Berger; brother R. James (Shirley) Puhl; sisters: Sandra Beaver and Sylvia (Pete) Giesie; and many cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and other relatives.
The family would like to thank all those who cared for him: the doctors and nurses in the Mayo Health System, at Dove South and Dove West, American Lutheran Home, and St. Croix Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family, who will designate them to organizations close to his heart.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie with Pastor Geoffrey Kieta presiding. Visitation was held Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 4-7 p.m. at Olson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Menomonie.
To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com.
Paid obituary 174507
