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Hilde Turner
1930-2006
A native of Germany, Hilde Margarete
Schmitt Turner, 75, of Newport passed away following surgery for
cancer. She was born Nov. 11, 1930, in Frankfurt Am Main, Germany.
She was the eldest of five sisters and one brother who lived as
children through World War II in Germany, witnessing close-up the
horrors of war. Following her school graduation, she met and
in 1954, married Lawrence (Larry) Turner who was serving in the U.S.
Air Force in Germany. Along with her Air Force husband, Turner moved
to and lived in many locations including Massachusetts, The Azores,
New Mexico, California, Fairchild AFB in Spokane, and back to
Germany twice. Their daughter was born in Germany; one son was born
in The Azores and the other son in New Mexico. She was proud to
attain her American Citizenship in 1958. While in Germany as a
military wife, she was the chairwoman of the yearly NCO Wives’
Bazaar. While stationed at Fairchild, she made and sold homemade
German bread.
After her husband’s retirement from the Air Force in 1975 in
Spokane, they moved back to Germany where she and their daughter
both worked as representatives for a crystal manufacturer. She then
started her own business, Hilde’s Gift Shop, which she owned and
operated from 1978-92 selling fine crystal, Hummel figurines, German
pewter, etc.
In 1986 Hilde and Larry Turner bought a cabin at Sacheen Lake, which
they visited and rebuilt over numerous years while living in
Germany. After both retiring in 1992, they moved full-time to their
home at Sacheen Lake.
She was active in the Sacheen Ladies of the Lake organization,
serving for many years as its “Sunshine Lady” – the one who sent
cards, flowers and made visitations for members and families. She
was the originator of the Sacheen Tree-Lighting Christmas Party held
for the past five years at the District No. 3 Fire Station. She was
also a member of the Pend Oreille Fire District No, 3 Auxiliary, the
Pend Oreille Democratic Party, Eagles Aerie No 3443 and the VFW in
Cusick. She loved to be with her family and friends, often helping
to start interest groups such as ceramics or Mah Jong. Her goal was
to get people interacting as a community. She loved to knit
(donating pieces to raise money for charities), create stained glass
art, garden, cook, and take regular evening boat rides around
Sacheen Lake with Larry.
She is survived by her husband Larry at their home; their daughter,
Ramona Degnan of Spokane; two sons, Greg (and Emily) Turner of
Germany and Mike Turner, serving in the U.S. Air Force in Arkansas;
two grandchildren; and four sisters.
Memorial contributions in Hilde Turner’s
name may be given to the Priest River Animal Rescue.
A memorial celebration of her life was held at the Circle Moon
Theater, Highway 211, Mile Marker 4, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 11:30
a.m. The Sacheen Ladies of the Lake provided a luncheon buffet
following the memorial. According to her wishes, cremation has been
completed by Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home of Newport.
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