Timothy R. 'Turtle' Turk

OREGON-Timothy R. “Turtle” Turk, age 67, of Oregon, passed away peacefully at his home from his courageous battle with lung cancer on Friday, March 22, 2013, surrounded by his loving wife and three daughters, which was his final wish. He was born on April 29, 1945, the son of Robert and Theresa (Pflieger) Turk. Tim graduated from Oregon High School in 1964. He married Debra Nonn on April 26, 1975, in Madison. Tim was employed by American Family Insurance for 25 years which allowed him to travel around the state of Wisconsin. A lifelong Badger and Packer fan, Tim also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He treasured his yearly trips to Wyoming for mule deer hunting and to Holiday Home Camp in Lake Geneva where he dedicated his time to get the camp ready for the kids. In the 38 years that Debbie and Tim were married, Tim always made sure to keep the love fun, young at heart, and full of memories that can never be erased; Tim’s motto always felt like “life is a ride – skid in sideways”. Tim was known by all for his generous and kind spirit and sense of humor. He will be missed for his contagious laugh, his unconditional ways of welcoming anyone into the home and making them immediately feel like a “Turk”, and the ability to pull a practical joke so that everyone else could smile even in the face of adversity. Most importantly, Tim adored his grandchildren and made them feel happy inside, spending time cuddling with them in his favorite chair. He loved telling them tall-tales about Harvey the Bunny, the roosters in the backyard and the Big-Bad-Wolf in the basement. Tim’s daughters look forward to continuing his legacy of storytelling. Tim is survived by his wife of 38 years, Debbie; daughters, Heidi (Dan) Finke of Brooklyn and their children, Mason and Madison, Heather (Bill) DiMartino of Brooklyn and their children, Brayton and Keaton, and Sarah Lopez (Jeff Hermans) of Sun Prairie and his children, Abby and Porter; sisters, Sue Statz, Mary (Curt) Ace, and Jane (Duane) Freeman; brother, Terry Turk; father and mother-in-law, Dean and Alice Nonn; sister-in-law, Bonnie Deaver; and brothers-in-law, Roger, Duane, Doug, and Randy (Mary) Nonn. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Frank Statz. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at HOLY MOTHER OF CONSOLATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 651 N. Main St., Oregon with Father Gary Wankerl presiding. Burial will be at Oak Hall Cemetery. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 1150 Park St., Oregon, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, as well as from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Tim’s name to the Carbone Cancer Center or Agrace HospiceCare. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Bonnie Deaver, Terry Turk, Dee and Sue Callahan, Bill Herron, and Ed Showers and the staffs of UW Carbone Cancer Center and Agrace HospiceCare. On-line condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Cemetery: Burial will be at Oak Hall Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Tim’s name to the Carbone Cancer Center or Agrace HospiceCare. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON OREGON FUNERAL HOME, 1150 Park St., Oregon, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, as well as from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Wednesday. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at HOLY MOTHER OF CONSOLATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 651 N. Main St., Oregon with Father Gary Wankerl presiding.