Ralph Luis TURNER

TURNER, SANDERS, NELSON, VIERKANT, SMUTZ, SPITLER, CLABAUGH, DEHMER, SAWYER, FORMANEK, MILLER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:00

December 17, 1926 ---- January 25, 2020

Ralph L. Turner, 93, of Belmond, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond. Graveside services for Ralph Turner will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 31, 2020 at Belmond Cemetery, Luick’s Lane South in Belmond. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2020 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane South in Belmond.

Ralph Luis Turner was born December 17, 1926 to Fred and Myrtle (Sanders) Turner in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He was raised in rural Dows and Alexander, where he attended country schools before attending and graduating from Belmond High School with the Class of 1944.

The day following graduation, Ralph entered into active service with the United States Navy at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois. From September of 1944 – March of 1945, he served with the Naval Armed Guard Unit as a 20mm gunner aboard the merchant ship Duncan Clinch carrying supplies across the Atlantic to Europe. From May of 1945 – September of 1945, he served aboard the Camas Meadows carrying fuel across the Pacific through Panama to the Philippines. He finished his career in Guam, serving on Harbor Patrol from November of 1945 until his honorable discharge in June of 1946.

Following his discharge from the Navy, Ralph spent a short time in Oregon before returning to rural Dows to work for Thurmond DeNio as a mechanic.

Ralph met and married Genevieve Nelson on June 3, 1947. The couple were blessed with three children: Larry, Randy and Kathy. The young family made their home in Dows, eventually moving to Belmond when Ralph began working for Genevieve’s father, Oscar, at Nelson Sand and Gravel as a heavy equipment operator, until the time of his retirement.

Ralph and Genevieve loved to travel, spending several winters in McAllen, Texas before buying a motor home and visiting numerous states and parts of Mexico. They also vacationed with family in Spain, Hong Kong and went on at least one Caribbean cruise. They also traveled to many of his grandkids’ and great-grandkids’ activities.

In addition to his work, Ralph enjoyed golfing, bowling and working on engines, rebuilding and repairing equipment. He also loved hunting, fishing, working with wood and reading, especially Westerns. He served on Belmond City Council and the Wright County Landfill board.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 72 years, Genevieve, of Belmond; children Larry (Nancy) Turner of Belmond; Randy (Jane) Turner of Belmond and Kathy (Bob) Vierkant of Belmond; grandchildren Christine (fiancé Bill Smutz, Jr.) Turner of Vinton, Iowa and her children Jay Spitler and Katelyn Spitler, Amy (Casey) Clabaugh and their children Isabella and Kinnick, Travis “TJ” (Jodi) Turner and their children Hailey, Easton, Madison and Allie, Angela Dehmer and her children Grace and Gavin, Lisa (Chad Sawyer) Formanek and her children Ciera Formanek, Jake Formanek and Mariah (Clayton) Miller and Rob (Andrea) Vierkant and their children Sydney and Parker; one brother Chuck (Carolyn) Turner of Mora, Minnesota; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of customary remembrances, Ralph’s family suggests memorial donations may be directed to the Belmond Historical Society, 223 East Main Street, Belmond, Iowa, 50421.

https://www.ewingfh.com/obituaries/ralph-l-turner/