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Obituary for Jean Turner
Jean Turner was reunited with her heavenly Father, her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and other family members when she passed away at the Eden Acres Campus of the Perry Lutheran Homes in Perry, IA at 1:41 a.m. on Wednesday, July 6th, 2022 with her son, Kent, at her bedside. Wilma Jean Schwab, daughter of Clifford and Merle (Jones) Schwab, was born October 6, 1922 on a farm in Lincoln Twp., Dallas Co., IA. She grew up on this same farm and attended Lincoln #6 County School through the eighth grade and graduated from Redfield High School in 1940. Following graduation, she worked out at various places, but finally came home to help her parents, especially her father with farm work. She grew up with three sisters and no brothers, so the three youngest girls worked outside doing man's work while the oldest sister, LaVon, helped her mother in the house. Jean loved working with livestock and in later years helped her husband do the same. Jean married Faris Walter Turner on March 1, 1947 at Atchison, KS. As a surprise to all, the couple they took along to serve as attendants, Lawrence Hurst and LaVona Gibler, were also married the same day and ironically, they were the first to be married. Two children were born to this union, Kayla Jean in 1949 and Faris Kent in 1951. Faris and Jean lived on various rented farms until they moved to Panora in February 1952. While living in Panora, Faris purchased the Lincoln #7 (Meacham) country school and had it moved to his father's farm on the Panora Speedway. In February 1953, the Turner family moved into their newly-remodeled, three-bedroom home. The Turners were a typical farm family. The children were involved in school activities at Redfield/Dexter and actively involved in 4-H. On March 19, 1966, Kayla was tragically killed in an automobile accident east of Dallas Center. Her death devastated the family and had lasting effects for years to come. Jean was an immaculate housekeeper with the belief that there was a place for everything and everything in its place, and when doing things, there was the wrong way and then there was "JEAN’S WAY!" She never liked to cook but could really put out a spread, and no one ever left the Turner home hungry. She loved to do handwork, especially crocheting, and made many items for family members. As co-founder and charter member of “Stitch and Chatter Club” with her sister, June Pitsenbarger, Jean enjoyed the times spent with neighboring farm-wives at their monthly meetings. There was always plenty of chatter with lots of laughter, and once in a while, a few stitches were accomplished. She was also a member of the United Methodist Church in Redfield where she enjoyed singing in the choir and helping at various benefits, bazaars, and funeral dinners. Jean did home childcare for many years, looking after her three great nieces, Wendi, Jodi, and Mandi Pitsenbarger, loving them as though they were her own. She also cared for a neighbor's child, Jennifer Thome. From 1978 to 1988, Jean cared for her mother, Merle Schwab, who came to live with the Turners following the death of Jean's father in 1978. She also cared for her husband in his later years who suffered from emphysema until his death December 9th, 1992. After falling in her home, Jean entered the Rowley Masonic Home in Perry in December 2016. She and her sister, Nelda Hollingsworth of Perry, who had suffered a stroke in her duplex, entered the same nursing home on the same day, but Nelda only lived a few days. Jean’s youngest sister, June Pitsenbarger, entered the Rowley Home in May 2017 and passed away in June 2017. A treasured moment in Jean’s life was celebrating her 99th birthday and she was looking forward to celebrating her 100th in October 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, her daughter, Kayla, in 1966, her husband, Faris, in 1992, three sisters, LaVon Pitsenbarger Gortmaker in 2003, Nelda Hollingsworth in 2016, June Pitsenbarger in 2017, and five nephews, Jim and Raymond Turner, Derry Pitsenbarger, Rick & Dennis Hollingsworth, a niece, Sara Turner, and a great nephew, Kip Rogen. Jean is survived by her son, Kent of Redfield; one sister-in-law, Nancy Turner of Linden; and several nieces and nephews along with many greats and great greats along with several friends and neighbors, especially a close friend and neighbor, Jackie Patten. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, July 16th, 2022 at the Irene Barbara Lund Memorial Chapel, Eden Acres Campus of Perry Lutheran Homes. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Casual attire is requested. Private inurnment of cremains at West Linn Cemetery, near Linden, IA, following Celebration of Life Service. Memorials to Redfield EMS.
