Donald Alexander Turner

On Tuesday, December 19th, 2006, Donald Alexander Turner passed away at the age of 86 years. Donald was predeceased by an infant brother, Hugh Turner; brother, Wallace Turner; parents, Alexander and Grace Turner; son-in-law, Alex Miller and sister-in-law, Myrtle Brady. Donald will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 66 years, Elva Turner and their family, two daughters: Shirley Miller and Sharon Turner, grandfather to Shelley Miller-Hertes (Keith), Bruce (Shannon) Miller and Aaron (Geri) Fettes; great grandfather to Nikole Miller, Cody Miller, Logan Hertes, Kyle Hertes, Justin Hertes, Jordan Hnatiw, Demi Hnatiw, Brandon Hnatiw, Mathew Fettes and Riley Fettes; one sister, Sheila (Roy) Jones; sisters-in-law, June Carr and Marjorie Domes, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Don was born May 17, 1920 in Yellow Grass, Sask. He grew up in Yellow Grass with his brother Wallace and sister Sheila. He attended Yellow Grass and McTaggart schools. H talked of riding the pony to school. At seventeen years of age, Don started farming. The winters of 1937 and 1938 were spent in Miami, Manitoba with his uncles, where he looked after cattle and played hockey. During World War II, Don was in the Army Reserve. On October 4, 1940, Don married Elva Campbell in Yellow Grass. This was a double wedding with Elva's sister and brother-in-law. Don and Elva farmed in the McTaggart area from 1937 to 1983. Don had cattle and pigs along with grain farming to supplement their income. Don assisted his daughters, Shirley and Sharon, with raising their calves in the 4-H Club. After playing hockey in the winter and baseball in the summer, Don began curling in 1945. As a new curler, he offered to help 'Ice Maker" Harry Church in Weyburn at the old rink. Later he became involved in making draws and ice for many curling events. Don was continually involved in the community. In his early years, he became chairman of the McTaggart School Board, co-chair to build the McTaggart Memorial Hall, chairman of the Coal and Hardware Store, and served on the McTaggart Cemetery Board. Don continued his community life, becoming president of the Weyburn Curling Club in 1960 and Secretary-Manager of the Weyburn Curling Club for ten years. Don coached his daughters in their high school curling, and became an Honorary Life Member of the Weyburn Curling Club. In 1972, Don received the "Scotty Richardson Award" for his contribution to curling. In 1973 Don was on the Silver Broom committee and chairman of International Day. In 1976 Don was host driver at the Regina Brier, and was again on the 1983 Silver Broom committee. Don and Elva attended ten Silver Broom curling championships. Don served on the executive of the Saskatchewan Curling Association for six years. In 1974, Don and Elva started the curling museum from their collection of memorabilia. When the museum outgrew their home, the Turner Curling Museum moved to the city property at 504 - 5th Street in Weyburn. The Museum was inducted into the Wall of Fame at the Sooline Historical Museum in Weyburn. In 2005 the museum was honored in the builder category of the Saskatchewan Hall of Fame. In 1998 Don was enshrined in the Ottawa based Governor General's Curling Club. Don's other accomplishments include: president of the