Kenneth Turner

As with many things in his life, Kenneth Campbell Turner, left this earthly realm on his time and mostly on his terms, Aug.20, 2024 at the Cozy Nest Care Home near Dundurn. Surviving Ken is his wife of 62 years, Pat, children Brock (Cathy) and Karen (Kim), grandchildren Sam and Claire; sisters Lynne Fowke and Starla (Roy) Thiessen and the many connected leafy branches of the Turner, Crysler, Fowke, Fowler, Thiessen, Beamish, Tratch, Schroeder, Sawatsky and Walwyn family trees

Born in Canora, Saskatchewan on June 3, 1937 to Enid and Kenneth Turner, Ken was an active fellow his whole life. After working on the Turner farm near Invermay, Sask., he'd head into town to play hockey with the senior men's hockey team, even as a youngster. When Ken was only 9 his dad, Ken Sr., passed away, but 5 years later, his mother married Stan Fowler who is the man Ken called father for the rest of his life. He and Lynne were also lucky enough to gain a new brother and sister, Bill and Starla, and this blessed, blended family left Invermay soon after for Saskatoon where Ken would stay.

After successfully partying his way through the University of Saskatchewan's College of Agriculture (class of 1960) he stayed in close friendship with a group from that class and cherished the yearly gatherings and special reunion trips they went on together. Upon graduation and after convincing Patricia Crysler to marry him, he went to work as an assistant in the Horticulture Department. Through his years of dedicated work at the "Hort Department" Ken became the senior staff member and led the staff contingent. He worked on many projects and studies including the one of which he was most proud - the hidden arboreal haven, Patterson Garden. His penchant for all things green and manicured led him to being hired as Grounds Manager for the U of S in 1982. Respected by staff and students alike, he reveled in bawdy coffee room jokes, perfecting the U of S campus bowl every summer with theme of the year, and having the perfect playing field conditions at Griffiths Stadium in equal measure.

Even before relocating to Saskatoon, Ken was a dedicated member of the Canadian Army Reserve. He began his service as a cadet in 1953, and some of his fondest memories were those of being Aide de Camp to several Lieutenant Governors of Saskatchewan. After more than 30 years of service, he retired as Lt. Colonel of the North Saskatchewan Regiment in 1985. This made his short time at Cozy Nest particularly meaningful, as the dining room windows offered a view of the land belonging to Canadian Forces Base Dundurn, where Ken spent countless weekends and made many friends.

Ken was dedicated to the job and to the military but it didn't stop there, and in typical fashion, he didn't just join, he went all in. When their kids' swim club needed parents to help out, Ken and Pat stepped up. And kept stepping up - through all the levels of timing, judging, officiating, and meetings to international swim meets and the Board of Swim Canada. He and Pat took so many steps as volunteers in the world of competitive swimming, they were inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame as Builders in the sport.

When Communities in Bloom National were looking for judges, Ken raised his clipboard and judged towns in Saskatchewan, across Canada, the USA, UK and finally to Japan. As an avid fisherman and hunter, and following his love of Saskatchewan forests, Ken got involved with nature conservancy through the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation to the level, of course, of becoming a regional director and board member.

If a theme is emerging, it's that Ken rarely did anything halfway. So let's follow his lead. The celebration of life will be held at St. Martin's United Church - 2617 Clarence Ave. Saskatoon - Saturday September 7 at 11am. Join family and friends when they fill a glass to the brim with Irish Whiskey to toast his well-lived life!

In lieu of flowers please donate to these organizations that Ken supported The Alzheimer Society of Canada, St. Martin's United Church or Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. And a grateful thank you to the care teams at Warm and Cozy Star and Cozy Nest Care Home.

For friends and family unable to attend in person, the service will be live-streamed which you can access with this link: https://youtube.com/live/TMjBVj-iPXQ