Turpen, Richard Curtis

TURPEN, LAFOLLETTE, SMITH, BOSWELL, REEVES, COLYER

Posted By: Conni McDaniel Hall (email)
Date: 2/12/2019 at 11:01:00

Richard Curtis Turpen, son of David Dancer Turpen and Addie Blanche LaFollette, was born east of Pleasanton, Iowa on August 22, 1916, and died on November 12, 1997 at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon, Iowa at the age of 81 years.

Richard was raised on the family farm with his sister Mildred and brothers Darrel and Duane. In his youth he was baptized into the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by his grandfather Seventy M.M. Turpen. Richard was ordained an Elder in the church later in life. Richard graduated from Pleasanton High School.

On April 4, 1936, Richard and Florence Mae Smith or rural Leon married in Shenandoah, Iowa at the Earl May radio station. Together Richard and Florence raised six children; Valinda Lee, Verna Dee, Richard Keith, Sally Ann, Bonnie Lou, and Vicky Lynn.

Richard farmed in Decatur and Adam counties. He owned and operated a Skelgas station in Stuart, Iowa. From there Richard moved his family to West Des Moines, Iowa so he could drive a gas truck across Iowa. Later Richard built a used car dealership in the Des Moines area and then a car crushing business throughout Iowa. He retired to the farm near Pleasanton with his cattle and horses.

Richard lost Florence on February 20, 1988 and married Marjorie Boswell on October 28, 1989 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Richard gladly accepted Marjorie's four boys as his sons, John Edward, Clayton Carl, Paul Richard, and William Dean.

Preceding him in death were his wife Florence; his parents; two brothers: Morris in infancy and Darrel; three brothers-in-law: Roy, Floyd, and Ray Smith.

He is survived by his widow Marjorie Turpen of Lamoni; son Richard and wife Marcia of Charles City, Iowa; daughters Verna Snow of San Antonio, Texas; Valinda Craig of Charles City; Sally Myers and husband Dan of Altoona, Iowa; Bonnie Whitehall and husband Jeffrey of Walnut, Iowa; and Vicky Hrovat and husband John of Castaic, California; four step-sons: Ed Colyer and wife Jean of Lamoni; Clayton Colyer and wife Noriko of Japan; Paul Colyer and wife Joyce of Lamoni; and William Coyler and wife Betty of Coral Springs, Florida; 18 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; sister Mildred Reeves and husband Franklin of Cedar Falls, Iowa; brother Duane Turpen and wife Bobbie of Ottumwa, Iowa; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Lamoni R.L.D.S. Church in Lamoni, IOwa [sic] at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 15, 1997 with Elders Donn Henson; Bud Atwood; and Ed Colyer officiating. Burial was in the Hamilton Cemetery, near Pleasanton, Iowa. Arrangements were made through the Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home of Leon and Lamoni, Iowa.

Source: Lamoni Chronicle, November 20, 1997