Obituary of Carol Ann Turner

Carol Ann (Kurpies, Yaroma) Turner, born March 20, 1954 in Toledo, Oregon, passed away peacefully  Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at her home in Springfield surrounded by family after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Born Carol Ann Kurpies on March 20, 1954 to Eleanor “Sis” Marie (Volesky) Kurpies and Maurice Martin Kurpies in Toledo, Oregon, Carol was the third oldest of five sisters and one brother.  She spent her early years in Montana riding horses and building friendships she would remain in contact with throughout her life.

In 1969 the family moved from Fortine, Montana to Valsetz, Oregon where Carol quickly made friends that too would last throughout her life.

Carol graduated from Valsetz High School in 1972 and married Bob “Bick” Turner December 24, 1981 which began a 41-year marriage filled with enduring love and lots of travel - travel that included, much to the surprise of family, riding on the back of Bick’s Harley Davidson.

Raising their boys, Brian and Danny, in Springfield, Oregon, Carol worked many years at Denny’s restaurant.  The family often spent their weekends in Bend, Oregon building the “cabin” that began as an extension of their motorhome but they would eventually build into an entire house.

In 1994, with Bick retiring and the boys grown, Carol decided she too would retire so they sold the house in Springfield and Carol, Bick, and Booties (their cat) moved to their home in Bend.  Carol liked the town of Bend but she was not fond of the cold winters which meant they would stock the Bounder and the two would travel south each winter (as snowbirds) to enjoy warmer weather and sunshine.  As members of Thousand Trails, they regularly made stops in Reno, Pahrump, Las Vegas, Laughlin, San Bernardino, Quartzite and Yuma.  These trips often included visits with family and friends along the way.  On these trips, Carol would fill her time making arts and crafts of things she’d see during their travels.  They would often stay in Laughlin and Las Vegas where they spent hours playing bingo and indulging in buffets.

In 2016, Carol and Bick moved from Bend into their home in Springfield. Having enjoyed many years of traveling, Carol was thrilled to be back in a house where she could host family reunions and visits from friends.  She loved hosting family at her home and did so up to the very end of her life.

Spending less time traveling, Carol enjoyed spending more time sewing, quilting, continuing to play bingo (only this time the home version), and baking.   NASCAR races found a place in her heart as she loved discussing the races with her son Danny, along with the Kentucky Derby.  Carol was early to rise on Fridays and Saturdays as she and Bick regularly found the best deals at garage sales around town. Most of all she loved spending time with all of her family and it was her family that surrounded her as she closed her eyes for the final time

Carol is survived by her husband Bob “Bick” Turner, son Danny (Becky) Yaroma, stepdaughter Kathy Cassidy, siblings Peggy (Hap) Vipond, Kathy (Tom) Rinck, Sharron (Bonnie) Kurpies, Donna (Larry) Fitzgerald, Maury (Kim) Kurpies, aunt Margaret Kurpies, many nieces, nephews, grandkids and great grandkids.

She was preceded in death by her son Emil “Brian” Yaroma, stepson Rick Turner, and stepdaughter Shelly Turner.

Anyone who knew Carol knows she was a loving and caring person, always thinking of others before herself.  She will be missed dearly but our memories of her will remain in our hearts forever.

Arrangements entrusted to Springfield Memorial Funeral Home. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com