Obituary of Jeanne Evelyn Turner

Jeanne Evelyn Turner was born to Evelyn (Palmstrom) and Carl Hermansen on March 28, 1933, at Eitel Hospital in Minneapolis. She grew up in Minneapolis with two brothers, Ronnie (Elaine) and Jay Brownell and two sisters, Sally Rian (John) and Carol Simpson (Dennis).

She attended Bryant Junior High School and graduated in 1950 from Minneapolis Central High School. She was not afraid to try new things - she did everything from journalism to dance, baton twirling to debate. She dabbled in musicals and theater. She did well academically and took classes at the U of M. While still in high school, she took a chance on the best dancer in the local dance club and eventually married Roy E. Turner on April 19, 1952. He literally danced his way into her heart and swept her off her feet! They were married for just over 70 years.

Jeanne worked in various office positions until they bought a house in Minnetonka and started their family. They had four children: Sharry Hosfield (Gary), Cynthia Haertzen (Mark), Scott (Liz) and Dyann. The family found a home at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park. Many family events: baptisms, confirmations and weddings were celebrated there. Jeanne volunteered in Sunday school, Choir school, and Bible school. Circle and Cell Bible study groups were important connection points. She served as president of the Women’s Guild. She coordinated Loaves and Fishes for many years, planning, cooking, and serving meals to hungry people. She drove for Meals on Wheels, delivering hot lunches to people who needed food and a friend. She served meals at Habitat for Humanity and worked on and coordinated the annual Hobby Fair.

She joined the neighborhood garden club and discovered a love for gardening and flower arranging. Her last arrangement was a wreath that she made at Good Samaritan a couple of weeks before she passed. She was quite proud that she had not lost her touch! (She did complain that they had an overabundance of pink flowers- not enough contrasting colors!) We are grateful to the caring staff people at Good Samaritan for keeping her engaged and happy and for having flowers for her to arrange and Bingo to play! She was so creative with flowers that she won ribbons at the State Fair and worked to help a friend in her florist shop in Minneapolis. Her signature was creating arrangements in unusual containers. She rarely used ordinary, upright vases, choosing baskets, pitchers, flat plates, or dishes instead.

Although Jeanne took pride in her well-run home, she was much more interested in people. She had four kids - a well-run home was a bit of a myth anyway. She knew lots of people from her neighborhood and church. She met more friends through her longtime involvement with West Suburban Women’s Club. She enjoyed the Bible Study Fellowship, book club, gourmet, and bridge groups. She made centerpieces for luncheons and fashion show fund raisers. She enjoyed working at the Scarlet Trunk - a shop in Hopkins that sold gently used and new items to raise funds that supported the club’s various charitable endeavors. She loved purchasing, styling, and working with the people in the shop. It made her happy to purchase and collect toys for Scarlet Santa - a program that provided toys for kids at Christmas. She coordinated the Metro Dining Club fundraiser for many years.

Jeanne loved holidays and entertaining. A neighbor used the word “overdecorating” regarding her style. She decorated for every season, sometimes more than once! People who entered her home felt loved and welcome. Jeanne was a good cook who made sure no one left their home feeling hungry. (She always kept candy dishes near - just in case.)

Jeanne loved people of all ages. She genuinely wanted to know people and their stories. She rarely met a stranger she didn’t want to befriend. While she loved all people, she adored her family. Kids, grandkids, and great grandkids were always her first concern. She sang silly songs

and had tons of fun watching her greats: Emily, Hailey Jo, Hudson, and Mia Rose. Neighbors have commented that they miss seeing the kids ride bikes, scooters, play catch, make snowmen and slide on sleds in their front yard. Great Grandma T. loved giving them treats and surprises. Even after she could no longer shop for gifts, she used catalogs and relied on others to make sure she had things on hand.

Each grandchild had a special relationship with Grandma T., with unique interests and jokes between them. Everyone was her special favorite: Robbie, Steven, John, Mike, Tyler, Andrew, Joe, and Amy. Grandma T. also welcomed the people we added to the family. Gary, Mark and Liz were considered family immediately. She loved Ashley, Courtney, Erin, Kate, and Ralph more than they know.

Jeanne passed away peacefully after a short hospitalization on the morning of August 26, 2022, after meaningful visits with Roy and her family. There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 11:00am at Westwood Lutheran Church at 9001 Cedar Lake Road. Visitation will be one hour prior at the church. Memorials are preferred to Westwood Lutheran Church. The world is less kind, less friendly and much quieter without her. She was much loved and will be sadly missed by family, friends, and the strangers she had yet to meet. Assume that she is making centerpieces for her own welcome party in heaven- with rainbows of color - not just pink.