Joyce Severn Turner

Joyce Severn Turner

December 28, 1931 - July 30, 2025

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Obituary

MADISON - Joyce Severn Turner, age 93, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at St. Mary's Hospital. She was born on December 28, 1931, in Madison, the daughter of Albert and Gladys (Reine) Haugen.


Joyce grew up in Stoughton and she along with her three sisters helped out in gladiolus fields and delivered them to area florists. She graduated from Stoughton High School. Joyce married James Turner in Madison on September 3, 1949. She worked as a librarian for Abundant Life Christian School for many years.


Joyce was an avid reader, and enjoyed knitting, cooking and flower gardening. She loved to chat with her kids on the phone. Later in life, she loved to watch the neighborhood kids come to her little free library in front of her home.


Joyce is survived by her daughters, Jane Tharp and Julie (Chris) Klaeser; son, Jack (Beth) Turner; seven grandchildren, Christiaan (Paige) Turner, Cherith (Justin) Breckan, Tyson (Samantha) Tharp, Tiffany (Jason) Garmon, Turner (Chelsea) Cole, Calvin Klaeser and Penelope Klaeser; great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Luke, and Audrey Turner, Jaxon and Britta Breckan, Tyla, Tytus, Tyson and Talulah Tharp, Azalee, Adalyn, Magnolia and Mathis Garmon, and Mason Cole. She was preceded in death by her husband, James; parents, Albert and Gladys; sisters, Ann (Wesley) Hoel, Darlene (Andy) Lakotos and Martha Olson; daughter, Jill Cole; and son-in-law, Randall Tharp.


A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025. A graveside service will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.


Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420



Events

02
Visitation
Sat Aug 2, 2025 @ 11:00 AM - 12:45 PM CDT
Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Get Directions
02
Graveside Service
Sat Aug 2, 2025 @ 1:00 PM - 1:15 PM CDT
Roselawn Memorial Park Chapel • 401 Femrite Dr, Madison, WI 53716
Get Directions

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Joyce
MT
Mark Turner
Other •
I never think about my Aunt Joyce without hearing her laugh. She had a wonderful laugh, so free and easy. She was so gracious and kind. When my first two boys were quite small it was Aunt Joyce who delighted in buying them new outfits. They were very stylish Thanks to her generosity. What a wonderful hope we have that we will see her again. She will be missed, however, and my prayers go out to my cousins and their families. Her nephew, Mark
DC
Dr. Don E. Cole
Other •
Joyce was as kind and thoughtful person as I ever met. She was a joy to be around. Through the years I have thought of her often, remembering the many times she bestowed a kindness upon me. She will be missed. God’s Peace.
LK
Lonnie and Belva Kelly
Other •
We met Jim and Joyce Turner in April of 1968. We were young college kids, away from home and lonely. They invited us one Sunday night after church to their home for a "snack". Joyce had fixed jello salad with bananas & whipped cream, hot dogs and chips. The rest is history. We began going out on the boat with them (and Jill, Jane and Jack who were teenagers) and wound up becoming life-long friends. Joyce would always fill a cooler full of cheese/crackers and salami for us to munch while on the boat. We moved a lot after college days and Jim and Joyce would come to see us at least twice a year wherever we were living. That included Lonnie's army days in Dugway, Utah, skiing when we moved to the Denver area, and walking on top of our cabins (because of sooo much snow) while visiting Yellowstone one Spring when we lived in Montana. Joyce always had such a sweet, humble and generous spirit. She was devoted to her family and to her God and brought honor to the Lord by the way she lived. We will see you in heaven one of these days, Joyce. In the meantime, hope there's a shelf full of good books to read. Our love always, Lonnie and Belva Kelly
LK
Lonnie and Belva Kelly
Other •
Post Script (from Lonnie and Belva) - After our army days, God blessed Jim and Joyce with their daughter, Julie. A year later, our first daughter was born, and she and Julie just added to the joy of our many times together.

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