Worthington, MN
Dennis Coy Turner, the son of Edward Coy Turner and Dolly Violet (Snelson) Turner, was born on July 23, 1942 in Sibley, IA. He was baptized at First Presbyterian Church in Round Lake, MN and graduated from Round Lake High School in 1960. He attended Mankato State College in 1964 and later on returned to get his Master’s Degree in administration in 1977.
On October 14, 1961 he was united in marriage to Mary Frances Dahlin at Belmont Lutheran Church in Jackson County. Dennis practice taught in Storden, MN in 1964 and ended up teaching and coaching there for 25 years. He told Mary they would be in Storden for only 1 year while practice teaching and ended up making it their home for 45 years. He often said that he considered Storden “the Emerald” of Cottonwood County. He was a nominee for Minnesota Teacher of the Year in 1978, WCCO Prep Parade Coach of the Week in 1969, Regional Coach of the Year in 1981. He had a passion to teach both his children and his students. His philosophy was to teach by association rather than memorization. Do any former students recall “King Phillip Cried Oh For Goodness Sake Victoria”?
He loved watching an athlete give their all and he believed as a coach he could motivate kids to get more out of themselves than they ever thought they were capable of doing. Mr. Turner also strongly believed that lessons learned on the court or playing field carried over to life. He had many successful teams throughout the years, but the highlight of his coaching career was taking the 1981 team to the state basketball tournament. His love for sports never ended. He has been a fixture at many local sporting events in his spot on the 50 yard line even up to the time of his passing.
The next chapter in his life involved agri-business sales which included owning and operating Miloma Agri Service. Once he retired, his love for working with people led him to making home deliveries of prescriptions to customers of GuidePoint Pharmacy and then Sterling Drug.
While career was rewarding, there was nothing more important than the love of his family. Marriage blessed Dennis and Mary with four children, Kimberly (Bill) Nickel, Shelli (Dwight) Patrick, Jason (Kylie) Turner, and Dominic (Kellie) Turner.
Spending time with and attending activities of his grandchildren brought joy to his life, not to mention the impact he had on their lives. They include (Kim & Bill) Brittni (& Brent) Baune, Turner, Cierra and 3 great-grandchildren; (Shelli & Dwight) Alexa & Dakota; (Jason & Kylie) Jacee, Coy, Emry, Talen, Keagan & Paisley; (Dominic & Kellie) Jaden, Hope & Chloe.
Denny faced numerous health challenges over the past several years. In December he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, it was a battle he could not win and was called home to the Lord on January 24, 2016.
He is survived by his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, his mother Dolly (Turner) McNab and brother Don Turner. He was preceded in death by his father Edward Turner and step-father Harold McNab.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016, at 10:30 a.m., at the American Lutheran Church in Worthington, MN, with Pastor Gary Andersen officiating. Burial will be in the Round Lake Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 29, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Benson Funeral Home in Worthington, MN.
