JANET MARGIT TURTON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JANET MARGIT TURTON

August 17, 1929 - June 16, 2026

Janet Margit Turton was born August 17, 1929 in Morden, MB, the only child of Melvin and Annie Bakke. Her earliest years were spent in the Haskett area until 1939 when the family moved to Gladstone before finally settling on a small farm in the Keyes district in 1941. While on the farm Janet attended Twyford school.

In 1948 Janet ventured to Winnipeg to continue her education at Success College enrolling in clerical and bookkeeping studies. During her subsequent employment in Winnipeg she met a mechanic by the name of Wilf Turton. It was a match that was meant to be. They were married September 29, 1951. Janet and Wilf relocated to the Ridgeville/Emerson area for a few years where Audrey was born. In 1954 Wilf Turton Ltd was established and that would bring the family back to Winnipeg where Fay and Wally were born. In 1966 a move back to Emerson became home.

Mum was an integral part of Wilf Turton Ltd as it evolved over the years. When it was a gas station, Mum pumped gas, washed windshields, and swept floors. Mum was the bookkeeper for Wilf Turton Ltd using pen, pencil and ledger until long after computer programs were introduced. It was only within the last 10 years that she relented and let someone with computer knowledge handle the books.

When Wilf Turton Ltd meant Dad was long haul trucking, Mum raised us kids and learned to drive. We have memories of climbing into the back seat of the car at all hours so Mum could pick up, or drop off, Dad at a transport terminal or in Headingley. Sometimes truck stop meals were involved. For a few years, in her fifties and sixties, Mum was employed by the Town of Emerson as a clerk and at the Emerson Hospital in the kitchen and housekeeping departments.

Mum was an active member of the Emerson Royal Purple organizing and volunteering in a many capacities. She was a Life Long Member of Lodge 303 serving as secretary for two terms and treasurer for two additional terms. She had the distinction of serving as the region’s District Deputy for 1990 and 1991. She was very honoured to have been chosen for this role. Her commitment to the Royal Purple is evident by her 22 year Perfect Attendance jewel and her 33 year Service jewel. The friends she made through Royal Purple lasted her lifetime.

Camping was a much anticipated season for Mum. Each spring through fall she looked forward to weekend and weeklong excursions to explore new sights or to meet up with friends. Our family has a huge collection of memories associated with those camping trips. Later in life, extended camping trips were undertaken to California, Florida, Alaska, Yukon and the Maritimes.

Mum also enjoyed cooking, baking, flower and vegetable gardening, preserving her harvest, refurbishing tired items and sewing. Mum sewed clothes for her family and for herself. When something needed to be invented, and sewing was involved, she happily accepted the challenge. When an old piece of furniture or such needed an updated look she made it happen.

Participating in church was important to Mum. While in Winnipeg Sundays were driving across the city to attend church services and Sunday school at Young United followed by pancakes and often sledding at the Perimeter hills or swimming east of the city. In Emerson she was involved with St. Andrew’s United Church choir singing for services and at the personal care home. For several years she served as a St. Andrew’s representative on the Church Board for Emerson and the surrounding area. Singing with the church choir fulfilled her love of singing and listening to music. From the cabinet stereo to satellite music to her late night CDs Mum found peace and her centre around music.

Mum was a very organized and kind person. She taught her children through modelling rather than lessons whether it had to do with baking, cooking, gardening, sewing, being innovative, making do, or helping others. One was expected to always do their best, be respectful, be grateful and try to be as independent as possible. We should be proud of our accomplishments and volunteer for our community. We will forever be grateful for the life we shared with her and the life skills she instilled within us.

We are not a family that calls each other daily but when you called Mum you had to plan. The conversation could last two hours, or at least until Mum’s phone lost its charge. Lory often referred to the Turton goodbyes as the longest on record.

Mum was very proud of her family’s accomplishments and the people they had become. There was kindhearted teasing, especially between her and her grandchildren. There was love that did not need to be spoken, it was felt.

Besides her parents, Janet was predeceased by her husband Wilf (2007), her son-in-law Lory Neufeld (2021) and her grandson Bruce Kutny (2025)

She will be deeply missed by her children, Audrey Neufeld, Fay (Gord) Demedash, and Wally (Mary Jane) Turton, her grandchildren, Dayle (Wendy) Neufeld, Sharla Neufeld, Darby (Janzen) O’Donnell and Ellery (Catherine) Demedash, as well as her great grandchildren, Anthony Kunty, Ben O’Donnell, Mckenna O’Donnell, Nicholas Demedash, Christopher Demedash, Rebecca Demedash and great great granddaughter, Elsie Kutny.

Rest peacefully, Mum. We will ensure your legacy lives on.

Thank you to all who made Mum’s life special. During these last few years our family has been especially grateful for Oak Manor friends, the home care workers, the handivan drivers, and all the Emerson Personal Care staff. She valued your friendship, respect, and expert care.

Funeral service was held on Saturday, July 25 at the Emerson New Horizons, with ash interment at the Emerson Cemetery.

Wiebe Funeral Home Altona

In care of arrangements

www.wiebefhaltona.com

As published in The Carillon on Jul 30, 2026