Lauretta Irene Turner

Lauretta Irene Demmer, second child of Otto and Laura Demmer was born June 1, 1931 at their farm home north of Mills, Nebraska in Keya Paha County. She attended grade school in Mills, Nebraska and then moved with her family to Hastings, Nebraska where her parents were employed at the Naval Ammunition Depot. At age 16, Lauretta graduated from high school where she had enjoyed singing in choir, playing her French horn in band, and participating in small group and solo performances. Lauretta attended North Central Bible College majoring in music. On October 17, 1950 Lauretta and Lawrence W. Turner of Brule, Nebraska united in marriage at the Hastings Assembly of God Church. They had three children, Sharon, Curtis and Laurene.

Lawrence and Lauretta made the decision to live in Oshkosh, Nebraska when they first saw the small western Nebraska town while driving on Highway 27 atop the bluffs overlooking the North Platte River Valley and Oshkosh. With a rainbow arched across the Sandhills to the north and wheat farms to the south, Lauretta declared, this is where I what to live, and they did for 50 years.

In the early 1950's, Lawrence and Lauretta built and operated the Skelly service station in Oshkosh for 15 years. They raised their three children, supporting them in school activities, and attended Oshkosh Assembly of God Church. After selling the Skelly station, Lawrence and Lauretta started Turner Electric in Oshkosh, where Lauretta handled the books and occasionally helped Lawrence on electrical jobs. In the 1990's they traveled between Oklahoma and Nebraska, with Lauretta running the Eldred ranch cook house near Lakeside, Nebraska, until retiring in Broken Arrow in 2005 and later Jenks, Oklahoma.

Through the years, Lauretta was a homemaker, business partner and church leader. At Oshkosh Assembly of God church, Lauretta was the pianist for 50 years, (a duo with Correnne Fecht on organ) occasionally giving sacred music concerts for the community. Lauretta was a Sunday School teacher, Youth Leader, Vacation Bible School director / teacher, and active in Women's Ministries. She was also Church Treasurer and a member of the church Board. Lauretta taught at Nebraska Assemblies of God Kids' Kamps and participated in Gideon's International as Chaplain of the Ogallala Auxiliary. In the community Lauretta served as a Girl Scout leader, Community Choir Director, and bookkeeper when Lawrence was Treasurer of the Airport Authority.

Lauretta is survived by her children: Sharon Deras-Plunk of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Curtis Turner (Brenda) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Laurene Turner (Keith) of Village of Lakewood, Illinois; her grandchildren: Sharon's - Andrew Deras (Patty) and Matthew Deras (Grace); Curtis' - Summer Coleman (Trey) and Jacqueline Mahan (Conner); Laurene's - Amber Stanley (Dannie), Cassie Riley (Pat), and Ashley Carter (Chase); and her great-grandchildren: Eli, Jonah, Hannah, Merrick, Quinn, Shea, Cael, Easton, Kennedy, Graham, Bennett, Sutton, Leo and Essie. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, as well as several cousins and many friends.

Lauretta was preceded in death by her infant brother, Loren; her parents, Laura and Otto Demmer; her husband, Lawrence (2019); and Lawrence's brothers and sisters who became the siblings she never had.

The family extends their appreciation to Lauretta's caregivers at Suncrest Hospice and Grace Skilled Nursing. Final arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt Funeral Service. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com. A family service will be held at a later date.