Lawrence Wilbur Turner

Lawrence Wilbur Turner, known as “L. W.” to many of his friends, died September 6, 2019 at Grace Living Center in Jenks, Oklahoma. Lawrence was born Dec. 24, 1923 in Big Springs, Nebraska, the seventh of Burt and Ular Turner’s thirteen children. He grew up in the Big Springs/Brule area graduating from Brule High School in 1941. He committed his life to the Lord at an early age.

Lawrence enlisted in the US Navy Sept 9, 1943, received training as an electrician, and from that training performed maintenance duties including instrumentation repairs for his ship, The USS Buckthorn, a net tender stationed on Attu, one of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. The ship served the purpose of putting out enemy anti-submarine nets providing a wall of protection for the western U.S.

After honorable discharge in May 1946, Lawrence obtained his private pilot’s license, worked on wheat harvest crews, operated a service station, trucked hay, farmed, and sold machinery and cars.

Lawrence married his church camp sweetheart, Lauretta Demmer, on October 17, 1950. They lived in Oshkosh, Nebraska for 50 years where they raised their three children, Sharon, Curtis, and Laurene. Together they enjoyed yearly family vacations throughout the United States.

Lawrence was an avid gardener, active in Gideons and other organizations, and served on the church board. For 10 years he was director of “Light for the Lost” for the Nebraska Assemblies of God. The family operated Turner’s Skelly, a gas station/truck stop with auto service center for seventeen years. They also provided travelers and wheat harvesters parking and service at Camper’s One Stop. Prior to retirement, Lawrence operated Turner Electric, an electrical contracting company for residential, commercial, and farm irrigation systems. The highlight of his electrical work was designing and building the electrical system for a six-mower hay-cutting machine.

During long work days and after retirement, he always ‘went to coffee’ with his friends at Skelly Café, Oshkosh Senior Center, Daylight Donuts and Pioneer Village.

In 2005 Lawrence and Lauretta moved to the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. After his health failed in 2013, Lawrence became a resident of Grace Living Center in Jenks, Oklahoma.

Lawrence is survived by his wife, Lauretta, of 68 years, and children: Curtis and wife Brenda, Sharon, Laurene, one sister, one sister-in-law, seven grandchildren and their spouses, nine great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends. Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, seven brothers, four sisters and two sons-in-law.

The family extends their appreciation to all the caregivers for Lawrence in recent years, including Grace Living Center, St. Francis Hospital and Seasons Hospice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Lawrence's name to the Oshkosh Assembly of God Church, PO Box 461, Oshkosh, NE 69154.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt Funeral Service. Family and friends may send memories and condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com.