Dorothy H. Turner

Dorothy – mother, grandmother, great grandmother, nurse, and storyteller – passed away peacefully in her home in Shelley, Idaho on December 23, 2011. She was a mother to five children, 15 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. Her legacy is a beautiful reflection of her love for family and education, her determination, and her strength.

Born to Alfred and Adelia Hansen on October 28, 1922 on a farm in Lago, Idaho, Mom was the only girl among four brothers who affectionately called her “Sis” her whole life.  She always described herself as a tomboy in her youth, telling us about sneaking out to ride her horse under the moonlight and fishing with her brothers, but photos of her during that time show a confident and beautiful young woman with sparkling eyes. Upon graduating from Thatcher High School in 1940 as valedictorian, she moved to Ogden to attend nursing school at Dee Memorial Hospital.

After graduating from nursing school, she became a registered nurse at LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Her passion and talent for nursing was apparent and she was made Supervisor of Obstetrics.  Later in life she spoke with great happiness about delivering thousands of babies, seeing the faces of glowing first-time mothers, and jumping on beds with sick children to make them laugh.

She had five children – Linda, Kristine, Thomas, Julie, and Michelle – while living on a farm in Woodville, Idaho with her husband Douglas Monte Thompson. She later divorced and moved us children to Ammon, Idaho, where we spent the majority of our childhood. In Ammon, she taught us perseverance in overcoming adversity and the importance of strength and independence. Most of all, she instilled in us a commitment to education and career so that we would not have to struggle as adults. She was proud to have raised a doctor, two nurses, and two teachers, and was delighted as she watched her grandchildren carry on her legacy, obtaining Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and MDs.

In 1972, Mom married Neil Turner and moved to Shelley, Idaho into a home that she adored, reflected by the perfectly mowed lawn, lovely garden, and well-decorated interior that was filled with pictures of her children and grandchildren. Mom and Neil were married for 34 years until his death and enjoyed many things together, including fishing at Clark Canyon, going to the Dutch Treat or Sizzler for lunch, and talking while playing pinochle for hours on end.

It was during this time of her life that she relished in being a grandma. Her grandchildren remember her taking them fishing in Clark Canyon where they would play Go Fish and eat Root Beer Popsicles, going to King’s to buy a small toy before eating grilled cheese and chocolate malts at the Dutch Treat, watching them with glee on Christmas morning as they recounted to her what Santa brought them, attending their beautiful weddings, and smiling as they introduced her to her newest great-grandchild.

Dorothy had an excellent memory, making her a natural storyteller. She loved going to lunch or drinking lattes with her children and grandchildren and telling them stories from her past. It is through these memories she shared, which we will all continue to tell, that will allow her story to continue long after her death.

Our mother was preceded in death by her daughter, Linda Lee Thompson Flowers, son, Dr. Thomas Thompson, her husband Neil, and two of her brothers. She is survived by two brothers, three daughters and their husbands – Kristine and Dan Burch, Julie and Jim Kienlen, and Michelle and Douglas Ball, her fifteen grandchildren (ranging in ages from 22 to 45), and twenty-one grandchildren (ranging in ages from three weeks old to 16).

Her wishes are to have her ashes spread under the warm, beautiful sunshine in Clark Canyon near the Sacajawea monument, a testimony to her fond memories spending summers there with her husband and grandchildren. Her beloved family will spread her ashes on Memorial Day to celebrate her life and legacy.

We would like to give a special thank you to the hospice and home health nurses and aides who showed such compassion and care to our mother in her final days. Their work is invaluable, selfless, and eased our pain during this difficult time. Instead of flowers, we would ask that contributions be made to Hearts for Hospice and Aspen Group Homecare so that they may continue to help families in our community.