Theresa V. Turner

LODI – Theresa Verline “Terri” Turner, age 70, of Lodi, passed away at home surrounded by her family on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. She was born in Cherokee, Iowa on Sept. 1, 1949, to Vernon and Theresa “Pauline” (Johnson) Fierk. She married Frank Richard Turner on June 26, 1981 in Cherokee, Iowa. Terri received her bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University. She worked in merchandising and management for JC Penney for many years – a job that brought her to Madison, Wis., where she reconnected with Frank, who had been a childhood acquaintance. After marrying Frank and starting a family, she changed careers so she could spend more time with her daughters and husband. She worked for IDS, then for Wellington Investments and as the Town Clerk in Cottage Grove. A proud mother of three and a true friend to many, Terri’s beautiful smile and gentle kindness made everyone she met feel warm and welcome, creating lasting impressions that are now remembered through stories of decades ago. She loved her family immensely. She was determined to maintain relationships with the people she loved and went out of her way to connect with old friends whenever she could. Terri was the embodiment of perseverance as she overcame numerous health complications throughout her later years. She was loved and admired by many. Terri was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Pauline (Johnson) Fierk. She is survived by her husband, Frank Turner; her daughters Ann (Steve) Wallace, Emily (Mark) Messiah and Melissa Turner; her grandchildren, Addison Wallace, Noah Wallace, Delaney Wallace, Malcolm Messiah and Martin Messiah; her sister, Judy (William) Mitchell; and her nephew, Jeremy Jenness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 434 N. Main St., Cottage Grove, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. Burial will be held at St. Patrick Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. “When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me, I’m right there in your heart.” Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420