Storke Funeral Home Obituaries

Duane Henry Turnbell, 90, passed away on Wednesday January 10th, 2024 at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center (Fredericksburg, VA) with family at his side.

Born in Red Wing, MN on August 23, 1933 to Clara (Theissen) Turnbell and Arthur Turnbell, his family didn’t always have a lot of money growing up. With that said, Duane grew up learning the value of hard work and the importance of family, something that he took to heart his whole life.

At 23 years old, Duane enlisted in the army as a mechanic and served for six years. During this time, he met his future wife and love of his life, Nita. After his discharge, he went into construction and eventually retired from the company “W.M. Jordan” at 62 years old. Besides construction work, Duane enjoyed his garden, backyard chickens, family, and of course his yard work, particularly mowing and cleaning up the fallen leaves. He was also an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing, with stories that grew with each telling (just like his tomatoes!).

Duane is survived by his great love, Nita (Peixoto) Turnbell; sister Lorainne Olson; four of his children, Guy Turnbell (Karen), Wendy Everett (Bob), Tony Turnbell, and Clara Dianne Turnbell; eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren, along with a huge extended family including many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, three brothers, and his eldest child, Janice (Turnbell) DeVries. The family has chosen to have a private celebration. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association in his honor.