Coranell Turner

Connie was born in Cambridge, Iowa, to Garrie & Beatrice (O’Mara) Mathis on November 29, 1927. She attended St. Joseph Academy and moved to Des Moines in 1947 with her parents. She worked for the phone company and helped with the care of her mother. She also worked many years at Answer Iowa. She was very dedicated to her work and even was known to take a cab in the middle of a snowstorm to get there.

Connie married Richard (Dick) E. Turner on April 18, 1954, Easter Sunday. They celebrated 43 years of marriage until his death on December 7, 1997. Although both Dick and Connie were only children, they made a beautiful family of their own with 7 Children. Her family jokes that she wasn’t the best cook or housekeeper, but she did provide a loving home to her children and many others, including her children’s friends and many, many cats and dogs. Nobody was turned away at the Turner household.

She adopted many kittens over her years, but her true furry companions were her dogs. Dogs were always a part of her life from when she was a little girl letting them ride in her bicycle basket, up to Koko and Moe, who were her last two dog companions. In 2016, Connie needed additional assistance and moved into Fountain West Care Facility, where the resident cat, Sassy, adopted her as her companion.

Connie’s favorite enjoyment was being with her family. Connie and Dick attended all of their softball games. Although they didn’t have much, raising a family of 7, they took pride in being able to vacation every year at the Hilltop in Clear Lake. Now, over 60 years later, their kids continue to vacation at The Hilltop with family and friends. Connie and Dick spent many years at the WDM ballpark, and one year the family was featured in the DM Register as all seven kids plus Dad were in the WDM league at the same time either as players or coaches. She enjoyed bowling at Val Lanes, where she participated in a women's league and a couples league, as well as open bowling with family and friends. She loved playing cards, and she always appreciated a good book. She was a long-time member of St. Theresa's Catholic Church. Connie will be remembered by family and friends for her handwritten letters. She would send cards and letters to many friends, kids, and grandkids. She loved telling stories and sending letters, even if it was just about what happened that day. They were treasured by all who received them.

Coranell is survived by her children, Gary Turner, Leanne Otting (Gary), Shari Turner, Mike Turner (Janice), Theresa Ridout, and her 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by two children, Richard J. (Rick) Turner and Deborah Lynn Wykoff, her husband, Richard E. Turner, and her Mother and Father.

She will then be laid to rest next to her husband at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.

Our condolences to all that have had the great opportunity to know Connie.