Marvin Francis Turner

Marvin Francis Turner, age 82 of Golden Living Center, Rush City, formerly of Mora, Mn. went to be with his Heavenly Father on January 8th, 2011. Marvin was born August 21st, 1928 in Mankato, Mn. to Esther (Denzer) and William Turner. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith and he attended schools at Cathedral and Cretin High in St. Paul.  He served in the U.S. Army Air Force as a Sergeant from 1946-1949.  He was an aircraft mechanic.  He was stationed in Texas and Panama during those three years.  In 1951, he married Elvira Soto after a “love at first sight” whirlwind romance. Marvin worked at Neil & Hubbard as a bus driver in downtown St. Paul and in the Sussell Garage Co.  He drove a semi-flatbed and delivered homes and garage materials to people in Mn. and WI.  He retired from Hoffman Engineering and had many hobbies. He loved the outdoors, had great carpentry skills, farmed & raised livestock.  Some of his favorite games to play were:  horseshoes, ping-pong, pool and he enjoyed throwing the football.  He tried many different ventures in his lifetime.  He was a very friendly, polite, fair and happy man.  A co-worker remarked that he was always whistling.  He also sang (he had a very good voice) and was always in a good mood.  He loved Jesus, his family, his grandkids and great grandkids.  They were the joy of his life.  He would always tell the story of his great-grandson Liam falling asleep in his arms.  He will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.  He was preceded in death by his mother, father, step-mother, 2 brothers, 1 sister, and his first grandchild.  He is survived by his wife Vida, his children:  Kitty (Greg) Comer, Lana (Gary) Peterson, Brenda (Geno) Howard, Lois (Jim) Powers, Steve (Lavonne) Turner, Donald (Resa) Turner, & Tim Turner (Jen Larson).  He is also survived by Jim Brown and best friend and 1st grandson Jamie Brown.  He was proud of all his 19 grandchildren and his 9 great grandchildren.  Also survived by his brother Bob, sisters Marilyn (Pat) Denio, Janet Olsen, Leland (Barb), James, William, and many other friends and relatives. During his stay at Golden Living Ctr., we grew to know him much better since we visited him very regularly and we all felt blessed for the closeness that transpired.  He was a truly wonderful, caring and funny man.  We appreciated the opportunity to be with him there. A special thank-you to the wonderful caregivers at Golden Living Center who turned into family members who loved him and he loved them.  We as family also appreciated and loved the Golden Living Ctr. staff.  Truly exceptional people.  We Thank you! Memorial Services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 12 @ Olson Funeral Chapel, 115 West 4th Street.  This service will be followed by a luncheon at the Eagle's Club in Rush City.  Inurnment will be on Friday at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.