Evadean Turner

Evadean Turner, 89, passed away at her home on Thursday, September 6, 2007, surrounded by family and in a spirit of faith.A remarkable woman, Evadean was born in Seebree, Kentucky, one of nine children. When she was nine years old her father died, prompting a family move to Evansville, Indiana. Her determination to better herself led her to earn a high school diploma in 1936, the only member of her family to do so. In 1939, she married Carl L. Turner. During World War II, she worked in an ordinance plant making ammunition for the allies. To improve the health of their first son, Darrel, they moved to Estes Park, Colorado, in 1948, where they owned a grocery store and a group of rental cottages. Evadean was maid, manager, roofing contractor, and mother, while Carl was the butcher at the store. She and Carl also helped found a community church.In 1955, Carl, Evadean, Darrel, and their second son, Arnold, moved to Longmont, Colorado, and purchased the pink and turquoise Bungalow Court Motel. Having previously bought, fixed up, and sold numerous properties successfully, it seemed a natural next step that she obtained a real estate license. Soon after, she and Carl opened Turner Realty at 425 Coffman Street, and the business continues in that location today, run by Darrel and Arnold.As one of the first women in Colorado to be licensed as a realtor, Evadean was a trailblazer. She had entered a field dominated by men, and she wasn?t going to let that get in her way. In the seventies, when the women?s liberation movement was promoting equality for women, Evadean humorously remarked, ?Why would I want to be equal to men? I?m better than most of them!?She received the Longmont Board of Realtors Wade Gaddis Distinguished Service Award, and she was named Realtor of the Year. Through her profession, she assisted many people with limited resources into home ownership.She believed strongly in community, church, political and professional involvement. It was common to see her on committees at First Christian Church (now LifeBridge), the St. Vrain Historical Society, the Longmont Board of Realtors, Kiwanis, and the Longmont United Hospital Auxiliary. Evadean also lived her Christian faith by helping solitary elderly women she encountered: taking them to doctor appointments, being a loyal friend, and helping them face the end of their lives with dignity.As an octogenarian, she continued to be involved in Turner Realty, relinquishing that role only in the year preceding her death, when poor health kept her at home most of the time. But many days she could still be seen at Janie?s Café on Main Street, having lunch with her sons and listening with interest to Darrel and Arnold?s conversation about the family business.Evadean is survived by Darrel Turner and his wife Judy K. Turner; Arnold Turner and his wife Patti Taylor; her sister, Mozelle Reich; grandchildren Michael Turner, Jesse Turner, Katherine Turner, and Robin Bush (widow of grandson Mitchell Turner); two great-grandchildren, Wesley and Lauren Turner; and numerous nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband and business partner of 64 years, Carl L. Turner; and her grandson, Mitchell Turner.Visitation will be held Sunday, September 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Howe Mortuary Chapel.A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, September 10, at LifeBridge Christian Church, 10345 Ute Highway, Longmont. Private family interment will take place at Mountain View Cemetery in Longmont. In her memory, contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley, P.O. Box 333, Longmont, CO 80502, or the St. Vrain Historical Society, P.O. Box 705, Longmont, CO 80502.