Donald Turbes
Donald “Don” J. Turbes,82, of Watertown, S.D., passed away on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at Jenkins Living Center.
Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 16, at the First United Methodist Church in Watertown with The Rev. Elmer Brinkman officiating, congregational singing accompanied by Lesa Dahl and special prerecorded music. Burial will be at a later date at Lakeview Cemetery, Clear Lake, S.D.
Donald Joseph Turbes was born on Feb. 23, 1936, to Albert and Agnes (Heiling) Turbes in Wanda, Minnesota. He attended grade school through the eighth-grade in Wanda and graduated from Lamberton High School. Donald married Judith Wurmstein in 1964. Four children, Daniel, Jody, James and Lisa, were born to this union. The couple divorced in 1970.
In the fall of 1971, Don met the love of his life, Geneva (Hartsell) Clark and her beloved son, Mark.
Don and Geneva were married on Sept. 21, 1972, and celebrated 46 years of married life. Don was a much loved father to his children.
Don drove “semi” for 43 years, (26 of them without one speeding ticket), including Christianson Truck line, Dakota Seed and Grain, Raymond Cossett’s and Prompt Express.
Don and Mark engaged in many home improvement projects, Don enjoyed his hobby. He would go-kart at Thunder Road with his son and grandkids, including the trip he spun out and crashed, resulting in three broken vertebrae. He laughed in pain, but had to grab his mouth to keep his teeth in. He also enjoyed concerts, tractor and semi-truck pulls, and trips to Branson, Missouri.
In 2013, Don retired and soon after his health began to fail, so they sold their home and moved to an apartment. On May 31, 2018, he entered Jenkins Living Center.
Don is survived by his wife, Geneva, of Watertown; four children, Daniel (Debra) Turbes of Revere, Mark (Dawn) Clark of Byron, Jody Turbes of Marshall, and Lisa Turbes of New Ulm; brothers, Kenneth Turbes of Marshall, and Tom (Donna) Turbes of Lamberton; five grandchildren, David, April (Andrew) Olsem and Naomi (Angel Bohl) Turbes; Jason and Alexander Clark; and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Marlene VanDeWiele; two infant siblings; and one son, James Turbes.
Funeral arrangements were by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, www.wightandcomes.com.
The family requests memorials be designated to Codington County Cares, 818 S. Broadway #101, Watertown, S.D. 57201.