Fay M. Turner

Fay M. Turner, 88, passed away March 14, 2015, in Overland Park, KS of complications from Alzheimer's disease. She was surrounded by her family. Fay was born on December 5, 1926, in Kangley, IL to Rose and William Pollett. Fay and Kenneth married on March 18, 1946. After Ken finished his service in the Navy, they moved to Ames, IA, where Ken earned his degree in veterinary medicine at Iowa State, and Fay took courses in home economics and ran a day care center. They moved to Forreston in 1954 and began the veterinary practice where Fay handled the calls, the radio, and the bookkeeping. Later Fay became the office manager and bookkeeper for Vet-Way Feeds, a business they created. She did this while managing their home and raising nine children. For several years Fay volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and supported her children in their many activities. Through the United Methodist Church she and Ken also traveled frequently to participate in Lay Witness missions where Fay was also the children's coordinator. Fay's faith in God became a profound part of her life. She shared that faith in inspiring ways through leading Bible studies, being active in her local church, and organizing a Christian outreach retreat weekend each year for several years at Camp White Eagle. Creatively Fay was known as a great pie maker and talented in art, writing, and sign language; she was also a prolific seamstress and a master at crochet. She was a wise and loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She cherished those roles very much, and she will be dearly missed. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth; children, Marta (Dick) Holthaus, Alett Turner, Keni (Alan) Gapinski, Leanne (Gale) Brattrud, Elise (Michael) Ross, Robb (Lydia) Turner, Kelly Turner, Edel (Brad) Gunnink, Eden (Brian) Niese; twenty-seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; siblings, Donald (Pat) Pollett, Glenn (Alice) Pollett, Carol (Bob) Mulhern, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers William and Dale, sister Rosaline Thatcher, and infant daughter Kara Lee. A memorial service was held in Overland Park, KS on March14, 2015. Visitation will be Friday, March 20 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home, 203 S. 3rd Ave., Forreston, IL. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 21, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church, 402 S. 1st Ave., Forreston. There will also be a visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the Church. Burial will take place at White Oak Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for White Oak Cemetery in Fay's memory. Friends and relatives are encouraged to share stories about Fay at www.burketubbs.com.