Donald Turnbull, 77, Albert Lea
Published 12:00 am Thursday, August 17, 2006
Memorial services for Donald Eugene Turnbull of Albert Lea will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18, at First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. John Holt will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour before service at the church. Military honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea Area veterans groups.
Donald died Monday, Aug. 14, 2006, at Albert Lea Medical Center. He was 77 years old.
Donald was born Oct. 20, 1928, in Albert Lea, the son of Clarence E. and Helen (Jensen) Turnbull. He was baptized, confirmed and a member of First Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher and was on the Church Board of Education for two years.
He received an Eagle Scout Award in 1945 and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1946. He was on the football team, boxing, and manager of the basketball team. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduation in 1946. He went to boot camp in San Diego and served on board the U.S.S. Astoria CL9 in the South Pacific until discharged in 1948. He enrolled at Winona State Teachers College in 1949, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. While at Winona he served one term as Scout master for the American Legion Club in Winona. While in college he was married to Wilma Leir in Aurora, Ill., in 1951.
Donald taught school in Mahtomedi for two years before returning to Albert Lea to join his father in the family business, Turnbull Tire in 1954. He served two terms on District 241 School Board from 1963 to 1969. Donald was elected School Board Member of the Year in 1969. He was a member of the Minnesota Tire Dealer Association and served years on the Association Board.
Donald enjoyed traveling and made three trips to the Virgin Islands and many trips to Arizona and California. The best trip was with the whole family in Palm Springs for Christmas, spending it with kids all around him.
He also enjoyed football and fishing, but his main sport was pheasant hunting. He hunted in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and North and South Dakota. In retirement years he belonged to Rice Creek Hunting Preserves in Pierz. In 1982 he sold the tire business and started Home Medical Service in Parsons, Kan., from 1984 to 1994. Donald was a life member of the Elks Club, member of the Eagles Club and the American Legion all in Albert Lea. Donald enjoyed flying and was in partnership on two airplanes. He enjoyed walking his sons dog everyday.
Donald is survived by his wife, Wilma, of 55 years; children: Lynn and her husband John Paulson of Mora, Minn., Scott and his wife Lil Turnbull of San Diego, Calif., Mark and his wife Nancy Turnbull of Eagan, Minn., David Turnbull of Valencia, Calif., and Tom Turnbull
and his special friend Krissy of Albert Lea; grandchildren; Jenna and Pete Paulson, Melissa Norberg, Michael Rose, and Becca, Kelsey, and Evan Turnbull; great-grandchildren; Cortney, Jacqueline, Isabelle, Alexia and Taylor.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents.