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George Turnquist, 94, of Schaller died Nov. 24, 2021 at his home.
Funeral services will take place Saturday, Dec. 4, at 10:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Schaller. Burial will be in Schaller Cemetery. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller is in charge of the arrangements.
George A. Turnquist was born on Jan. 4, 1927 in Ambrose, N.D. to George Washington Turnquist and Marvelle (Langford) Turnquist.
George attended school in Ambrose until the age of 17. He joined the Navy in 1944 where he spent time in the Philippines. After the war was over, he spent time in China. George earned the American Campaign medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal, WWII Victory medal, China Service medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. After his discharge from the Navy in 1946, George worked in construction. He moved to Iowa in 1951 where he worked for Younglove Construction as a millwright. In August 1974 he was in a dust explosion at the grain elevator in Jefferson. He was burned badly and was disabled. George earned his GED in 1976.
On Aug. 8, 1956, George was united in marriage to Alice Rasmussen in Arthur. To this union six children were born: Kent, Brent, Glenda, Miron, Janet and Todd. Two sons, Miron and Todd, were lost in infancy.
George was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Schaller. He served as a Deacon, Elder, Trustee and on the Pulpit Committee. He put in endless hours cleaning the church as custodian for many years. George was also a member of the VFW.
George enjoyed socializing and playing cards with friends, visiting casinos, woodworking and spending time with his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Cami (Jerry) Harriman, Kent (Vicki) Turnquist, Brent (Jolene) Turnquist, Glenda Turnquist and Janet (Jim) Illum; grandchildren: Rachel (Kelly) Sturtevant, Brandon (Tollie) Turnquist, Wes Turnquist, Jamie Turnquist, Ryan (Kelli) Turnquist, Uriah (Kimberly) Cross, Keegan Cross, Shauntelle (Jeramie) Rodriguez, Tory Johannsen, Dylan Johannsen;, Heidi Illum, Karl Illum and Gretchen (Matt) Wimer; 21 great-grandchildren; brother Charles Turnquist; extended family and friends.
George is preceded in death by his loving wife Alice; two infant sons, Miron and Todd; father George Washington Turnquist; mother Marvelle (Langford) Turnquist; three brothers; and one sister.
He leaves to mourn his loving family and many friends.
