Wilda B. Turner, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend passed away on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, joining her eternal companion, Henry. She was under the compassionate care of the Bear Lake Memorial Skilled Nursing Facility in Montpelier, Idaho where she was a resident for nearly 3 years.

She was born on April 17, 1926 to Osmond and Adeline (Hoopes) Barrus in Afton, Wyoming. She was the 2nd child of 6; 4 brothers and 1 sister.

Wilda's early years in Star Valley were joyfully spent with her family and "cousins by the dozens". Here she developed a love for her beautiful valley and the great outdoors. She developed a love of her country at a young age and was very patriotic, as evidenced by the memories she shared of her war bond sales, scrap drive efforts, and Victory Gardens during World War II.

She left Afton to attend the University of Wyoming and completed an Associate's degree in teaching. At college, Wilda met Henry Turner, a World War II vet, and they married on August 22, 1948. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Denver, CO Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Side by side, they shared 68 years together.

Throughout their marriage, Wilda was always a devoted and supportive wife, moving when Henry's career in education took them to various towns in Wyoming and Colorado. Their first adventure was a rural "teacherage" in Harmony, WY where Wilda taught in a one room school house and Henry commuted daily to Laramie to complete his teaching degree. After enduring the "Blizzard of 49", the couple moved to Afton, WY where Henry taught and sons David and Richard were born. After Afton, the family moved to a converted chicken coop in Derby, CO where Christine and Kevin joined the family. Finally they moved to a brand new house in Thornton, CO where Henry taught in nearby Adams County School District 14. The family added three more children in Thornton: Joel, Luani, and Martha. Wilda loved her seven children. When Wilda was asked how many children she had, her proud reply was "we have been blessed with seven beautiful children".

After living in Thornton for 18 years, the family made another move to Fleming, CO when Henry was hired as the Superintendent of the K-12 school. Next, the family moved from Fleming to Sterling, CO when Henry became the director of a sheltered workshop until his retirement. During these years, in addition to being a homemaker, Wilda was a telephone operator, teacher, substitute teacher, and Scout leader wife. Their final move was made to Montpelier, ID where Henry and Wilda lived since 1993.

Let it be said that Wilda loved her family and extended family, as evidenced by the more than 70 photo albums she compiled about her "kinsmen" with pictures and interesting stories. She captured her family's accomplishments and proudly recorded them in the treasured books.

She excelled in parenthood and was a devoted mother, providing a lovely home for her family wherever they lived. Her homemaking skills were legendary: her cooking (roast beef dinners), her baking (lemon meringue pies, survival cookies, homemade bread, cinnamon rolls and spudnuts), her canning (peaches, pears, rhubarb) and sewing (Halloween costumes, prom dresses, alterations).

Wilda's letter writing skills were extraordinary. She knew how to keep in touch, cheer up the sad, and acknowledge accomplishments through old fashioned, handwritten letters, bringing comfort and joy to others. She had many other interests, skills, and talents. Any plant would flourish under her tender touch. She also had a creatively artistic eye, bringing beauty into her world. Wilda enjoyed tinting portraits before the age of color photos. Her water color pictures are treasured art pieces.

Although Wilda was challenged with health problems throughout her life, she faced them with strength, courage, optimism and cheerfulness. She focused on others, minimizing her own health complaints. She endured bravely to the end, an example to everyone who knew her.

Wilda will be forever lovingly missed, fondly remembered, and thought of daily by her family and friends. Left to cherish her memory are: her children, David (Lois) Turner of Cove, UT, Christine (Curt) Larsen of Fort Collins, CO, Kevin (Gwen) Turner of Bern, ID, Joel (Adele) Turner of Chubbuck, ID, Luani Bruyere of Cascade, MT, and Martha Vinck of Logan, UT, 26 grandchildren, 68 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, 2 brothers Jay (Mary) Barrus of River Heights, UT and Dwight (Cleone) Barrus of Fairview, WY, "cousins by the dozens", and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Wilda now joins her beloved husband of 68 years, Henry, who passed away in February 2017. She is also preceded in death by a son, Richard Turner, a son-in-law, Paul Vinck, a grandson, Nathan Turner, a great granddaughter, Raya Russell, her parents, Osmond Wendell Barrus and Adeline (Hoopes) Barrus, brothers, Boyd Barrus and D'Orr Barrus, and a sister, Corrine Warren.

A viewing will be held at 9:30 a.m., prior to her funeral at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint chapel in Bern, Idaho. Burial/Interment will be in the Montpelier Cemetery.

Should friends and family desire, a fund has been set up to honor Wilda Turner's memory. Donations can be made to Bear Lake Valley Health Care Foundation, in honor of Wilda Turner, P.O. Box 364, Montpelier, ID 83254.