Velda L. Turner

Velda Lindstrom Turner passed on to a better and beautiful life on September 26, 2018 after a long illness. She was born on January 22, 1929 in Winter Haven, Florida to Oscar Ragnar Lindstrom and Irene Högfeldt Lindstrom.

Velda graduated from Manatee High School and attended Duke University. Velda married her childhood sweetheart, Latimer Hollingsworth Turner on January 27, 1951, and were happily married until his death on January 19, 1990. Velda was first and foremost a wonderful wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt. But she also served her community well. Velda was a founding member of the Junior League of Sarasota, serving as its President for two terms from 1964 to 1966. Through her work with the Junior League, she was instrumental in promoting the mission of the Sarasota Day Nursery, now known as Children's First, which is to prepare children from low income families for kindergarten. She was an active member of the Church of the Redeemer. She was also involved in many other civic and agribusiness organizations through her participation in and support of the activities of her late husband, Lat.

Velda was proud of her Swedish heritage and introduced her children and grandchildren to Swedish traditions, including the tradition of large family gatherings to celebrate the holidays. She enjoyed her second home on Lake Rabun in the Blue Ridge foot hills of north Georgia, where she spent her summers with friends and family. Velda also enjoyed hosting annual campouts of family and friends and otherwise communing with nature on the family ranch. Boating as "first mate" with Lat on the "Cowboy," and sharing such travels with friends, was also a source of great joy, as was traveling to Gainesville to cheer on the Florida Gators. Velda certainly was blessed with the gift of hospitality.

Velda was preceded in her death by her beautiful daughter, Carolyn Turner Dabney, and by her cherished husband, Lat. Those also preceding in death were her siblings, Robert Lindstrom, Fred Lindstrom and Carolyn Anderson. Velda is survived by her three sons, James (Karen), David, and Chuck (Kelly), as well as her son-in-law, Tom Dabney (Elaine). She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Kate Dabney Peterson (Brad), Leah Cotter (Christian), Lauren Turner, Scott Turner (Medisa), Daniel Turner (Kaila), Tracy Spencer (David), Caitlyn Turner (Ivan), Lat Turner, and Christine Turner, and three great-grandchildren, Turner Peterson, Thomas Peterson, and Georgia Cotter.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 11:30 am at the Church of the Redeemer. A reception will be held following the service at the Field Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Redeemer Building Fund, 222 S. Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.