Leonore Gertrude Turner, the daughter of Leon and Beatrice (Havens) Turner, was born on the family farm in Pottawattamie County on January 23, 1927. She died March 24, 2020, at her home in Griswold, IA, at the age of 93 years, 2 months and one day -- after her final Tuesday morning prayer group.

Leonore grew up in the Griswold area and graduated with the Griswold class of 1944. She graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) with her teaching degree – she proudly wore the UNO graduation ring all of her life.  She began teaching at country schools in the Griswold area: # 5 district, #8 Wright Township, #3 Pott Wright and #3 Montgomery Douglas country schools.  Leonore was known to hold and hug her students – at a time when you could and to buy her students clothes, food and other needs that they might have.   Leonore ended her teaching career teaching 1 ^st grade at Elliott, Iowa which is part of Griswold Community School District.  Altogether, Leonore taught for more than 46 years.  She was well known and loved for the circus she had her class put on each year!

Leonore was a member of the Griswold United Methodist Church where she was part of the choir and taught Sunday school.  She was the recreation chairman of Rural Young People, a 4-H Club leader, member of her church's early morning prayer group for 30 plus years, and had helped her father, brother, and nephews farm. She loved yellow tomatoes, rhubarb pie, and fresh cherries.  She made the best mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, lots and lots of macaroni and cheese, and fried chicken.  Leonore was known to make sure that all around her were well fed and clothed no matter the occasion – in her home, on the road, or in the field.  Leonore was also an avid seamstress making wonderful clothes for family, friends, students, and others who might want or need them -- along other much needed / wanted items for the home.

Leonore was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters: Loretta Turner and Eloise Turner Ratashak; her niece Dawn M. Turner; and nephew Edwin Ratashak, Jr.

Leonore is survived by her brother Eugene Turner and wife Nancy of Griswold and their children: Tonya Turner Shoesmith and husband Waylan and their children: Jordan, Trey, and Taydem of Carroll, IA;  Heather Turner Freeman and her children: Mikalyn and Zane of Amity, OR;  Heath Turner and wife Holly and their children: Kendall, Wesley, Grace, and Sydney of St. Charles, IA;  Chris Turner and wife Angie and their children: Colton, Cash, Calden, and Cavyn of Griswold, IA;  Leonore's brother-in-law Edwin Ratashak of Clarinda and his children: Karen Ratashak Peril, Kathleen Wooden, Larry Ratashak, Barb Alexander, Dennis Ratashak,  and Kenneth Ratashak.

A special thank you to Laura Amos and Janis Brown.  The early morning prayer group and your devotion to Leonore as friends and as sisters in Christ meant so much to her and to her family for which we are truly thankful and extremely blessed!

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November  27, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the Griswold United Methodist Church.  Interment will be at a later date.  Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family.