Deanne Smith Turner Obituary (2008)

Deanne Smith Turner, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, 82, died in her home in Syracuse, Utah on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 of natural causes associated with her age. Deanne was born June 26, 1926 in Preston, Idaho to Wilford and Terese Thomas Smith. She was the fourth of seven children. She married Claude J Turner in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple on June 23, 1950. She treasured the 58 happy years of their marriage. Deanne valued education and thoroughly enjoyed her academic years by working hard, eagerly taking on many leadership roles, and getting involved in many activities. She attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah and graduated with a degree in home economics in 1949. After graduation, she became a school teacher in Richfield, Utah until she married and started a family. She and Claude had six children and Deanne put her home economics and teaching skills to work in a new, more personally fulfilling way. She was the consummate teacher, always encouraging her children to learn and improve. She was a devoted and faithful member of the LDS church her entire life and served happily in many callings in every organization. Again, she found herself in many teaching positions, including teaching early morning seminary in her home for years. Through these assignments and her own love of the gospel and the history of the Church, she became a true gospel scholar. Her love of the gospel was evident in everything she did and said. After she and Claude retired, they began making plans to serve a mission. Deanne had looked forward to this experience for many years and was elated when the opportunity became available for them to serve the Lord as missionaries. They were called to serve in the San Antonio, Texas mission. She was an excellent correspondent and kept good records of their missionary experiences. She loved the time they served as missionaries and felt the 18 months went by too quickly. When they returned from their mission, they made their home in Syracuse, Utah. Deanne was a gifted homemaker, seamstress, and quilter. She belonged to many quilting guilds and enjoyed learning new skills and sharing her beautiful handiwork with her family. The greatest love of Deanne's life was her family. She cherished her happy marriage and recognized the blessing her temple marriage had been to her and her family throughout her life. Her two greatest joys in life came from her membership and activity in the LDS Church and from the fun times she spent with her family. She is survived by her husband, Claude J; children, Gary T. Turner (Ana), Las Vegas, NV; Sandra J. Hansen (J. Kelly), Syracuse, UT; Kenneth W. Turner (Keetette), Sandy, UT; Douglas B. Turner (Laurie), Herndon, VA; Glen C. Turner (Lisseth), Centerville, UT; and Marianne Siepert (Kash), Roseburg, OR; 28 grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Tompson, Logan, UT; Beth Dunkley, Logan, UT; one brother, Richard Smith, Grand Junction, CO. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Mark Smith; and two sisters, Gwen Johnson, and Marion Pond. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August, 11, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Syracuse 2nd Ward Chapel, 2888 South 1660 West, Syracuse, UT. Friends and family may gather Sunday, August 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 250 North Fairfield Road, Layton, UT and Monday at the Syracuse Ward Chapel from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Syracuse City Cemetery immediately following the services. Those wishing to make contributions can donate to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund. VisitationMyers Mortuary of Layton 250 N. Fairfield Rd. Layton, UT 84041 August 10, 2008 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServiceSyracuse 2nd Ward Chapel 2888 South 1660 West Syracuse, UT August 11, 2008 11:00 AM CemeterySyracuse City Cemetery 1290 South 1000 West Syracuse, UT 84075 August 11, 2008