Phyllis Denker (Denker) Turner

     Phyllis Denker Turner

     March 6, 1930 - July 29, 2023.

     Phyllis passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 93, fifteen years to the day after her husband, Howard, passed away. She was 93 years old when she broke her hip and passed away a week later.

     Phyllis grew up on the family farm on Denker Road near Wasco, Illinois, she is the daughter of Frances and Hugo Denker, second generation Swedes.

     Besides for school and farm life, and while growing up she loved to ride her horse and was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, Lily Lake, Illinois. She met Howard Turner there, who also grew up on a nearby farm. Howard courted her partly from the air, dropping love notes onto the corn fields of her farm from his small plane.

     Phyllis and Howard were married on June 24th, 1950, and they both graduated from Bradley University a few years later.  They were the first in their families to attend college. After college, Phyllis and Howard moved to Geneva, IL, where they had four children in rapid succession. They built a house overlooking Fisher’s Lake in rural St. Charles, IL where they lived for more than fifty years. In later life, when she was asked what it was like to have four young kids in four years in her early 20’s and she remarked with her usual humor, “well, I’m in a wheelchair now”.

     As a 1950’s and 1960’s homemaker in the Wasco, IL area she was constantly busy with family life, four kids and their school, pets, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, teaching Sunday School, working at swim meets, kayak races, sewing kids’ clothes, cooking, cleaning, and as a ‘motel schooler’ on family trips. She played games, rode bikes and skied on the frequent family outings. In the seventies and eighties, she traveled far and wide to her kid’s and Howard’s kayak races, including two Olympic Games.

     After retirement, she and Howard spent the warmer months at their cabin overlooking Lake Michigan near Sister Bay, WI. She was active for years as a docent at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula Park, a Peninsula Park Lighthouse guide, in PEO, and as a member of Shepherd Shepard of the Bay Lutheran Church. She loved nothing more in her later years than ‘fika’ (afternoon coffee) in the sun looking out over the lake.

     After Howard passed in 2008, she lived full-time at a Villa at Scandia Village, in Sister Bay. In 2014 she moved to Scandia Village, living at Woodview assisted living. Phyllis participated in all the activities there and was well liked for her positive attitude, good natured outlook, and quiet sense of humor. Phyllis was an active participant in Wammo and other activities there, and had accumulated $50 in winnings, nickel by nickel, when she passed.

     Phyllis is survived by son Brent (Boo) of Mazama, WA, daughter Jill McKay (Bob) of Iowa City, IA, and daughter Ann Turner (Ketil) of Sollentuna, Sweden. Daughter Sue passed away in 2020. Phyllis is also survived by six grandkids and five great grandkids.

     We could all emulate Phyllis’ outlook on life: the glass was always at least half full, and none of her pains were worth bothering others about. She always found joy in the simple things: the sound of an airplane on a clear day, a bird or flower, or a cup of coffee or a glass of wine with family and friends.

         The Turner family is being assisted by Casperson Funeral Home of Sister Bay. Those wishing to express sympathy, share memories, or offer photos of Phyllis may do so on her tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

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