Lila Gardner Turnbow Obituary (1924 - 2019)

Lila Gardner Turnbow passed away peacefully on 24 June 2019 at home of natural causes. She was born on 24 April 1924 in Neola, Utah. Lila was the first-born child of Leonard Derle Gardner and Mary Mazella Jensen. When Lila was born, Jim Atwine, a friend of the family, came over to see her. He called her "boss". Lila's dad called her "boss” too. She was known by "boss" to her family, friends and the Indians from then on. She grew up in the small ranching town of Neola, Utah. She helped clerk at the local store that her father and uncle owned. Being the first born of four girls, her father had Lila help him with many of the ranching chores. She learned to drive a truck at a young age. She was a very good student and was the Valedictorian of her class at Roosevelt High School. She attended the University of Utah and graduated in 1946. She was the President of Phi Mu Sorority. A good friend of Lila and Wally (Wallace Claude Turnbow) introduced them to each other. Lila and Wally were married three months later, on June 12, 1946 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple by President George Albert Smith, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They went on their honeymoon to Cardston Canada. They lived in Utah, New Hampshire and California. She had fond memories of New Hampshire and all the delicious blueberry desserts. Lila was a math and business teacher at Lincoln Junior High School. She served in many church callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was active in the Big Cottonwood Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers (DUP). She was a historian for them for over 20 years. She researched and submitted many family histories for her family and DUP members. Lila made several beautiful handmade quilts. Lila loved the knitting machine her husband brought to her from Japan when he was there on a business trip. She enjoyed knitting slippers, and sweaters with her machine and to crochet afghans, which she gave to her family and many friends. One sweater that she made was red. Lila and Linda shared the sweater and had discussions of who would wear it to church. It never failed, that whichever one of them was wearing the sweater when the leadership was looking for someone to pray, they would ask the sister wearing the red sweater to offer the prayer. Lila belonged to several clubs over the years and these people became lifelong friends. She was always kind and friendly. Lila is survived by her children, Linda (Phil) Chatelain, Hal (Julie) Turnbow; 5 grandchildren (Kristina Matulich, Nathan Turnbow, Jennifer Stokes, Mathew Turnbow, Jessica Riggle); and 10 great-grandchildren, (Selena Matulich, Mackenzie Stokes, Shayla Stokes, Christian Stokes, Elise Stokes, Ensign Turnbow, Anna Turnbow, Cody Riggle, Alexandra Riggle, Gabriel Riggle,). Preceded in death by her husband, Wallace Claude Turnbow; sisters; Carol, Gwen and Betty; and by her grandson, Andre Robert Matulich. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, 29 June 2019, at 11 AM at the 16th Little Cottonwood Ward on 6350 Rodeo Lane. Friends and family are invited to visit at the church between 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, prior to the service. Interment at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.