Sandra 'Sandy' Anita (Chase) Turner

Sandra (Sandy) Anita Turner, 81, passed away peacefully at Birch Creek Assisted Living of Smithfield, UT, in the early morning hours of July 20, 2024. Sandy was born May 24, 1943, in San Bernardino, California, to Harold Wilkinson Chase and Mary Edna Daniels. She graduated from Olympus High School in 1961 and later attended Utah State University. 

Those familiar with the 1968 movie, “Yours, Mine, and Ours,” know Sandy’s family story. After meeting at a church dance and a short courtship, she married Wendle H. Turner on April 23, 1976, in the Logan LDS Temple. Both Sandy and Wendle brought to this union five children from previous marriages. They would later have two more children. Family was the most important thing to both Sandy and Wendle. They would raise 12 children together. At her passing, Sandy had 42 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren (with one more being born the day after she passed away, and four more on their way). She loved them all unconditionally and loved spending as much time as possible with each of them.

Sandy loved being outdoors, and especially loved camping as a family, usually close to a lake where she could water ski while Wendle fished. Sandy and Wendle shared a dream of building a cabin in Turnerville, WY, which they fulfilled in 1996. Many memories were shared there over the years. She loved snowmobiling with Wendle and her entire family. Her friends named a mountain in Beaver Creek ‘Sandy’s Hill’, because it was one of her favorite places to go and she was always the first to climb it.

Sandy lived a life of service. She was always serving her family – driving them to and supporting them at sporting events, piano and dance recitals, doctor’s appointments, school plays, and various family events. She helped her kids deliver newspapers, tutor them on school assignments, and was always the first to share a meal with a family in need. Her homemade bread and raspberry jam were legendary and enjoyed by many friends and family. She loved serving in the Church as well. If she wasn’t leading the music in sacrament meeting, or serving as cubmaster she was serving in the temple with her husband. Sandy and Wendle always wanted to serve a mission together and were blessed to serve as service missionaries in the Logan Distribution Center. She also loved serving her community. She was heavily involved in the Smithfield Chamber of Commerce, and the Health Days Scholarship Pageant which she oversaw with her daughter, Kari. Sandy recently received Smithfield’s Distinguished Woman award – the first ever to receive it. Sandy blessed many lives through her kindness, talents, and service. 

Sandy and Wendle made an amazing team. Not only did they raise 12 children together, but they also worked side-by-side in their candy business. Wendle delivered candy all over Cache Valley and surrounding areas while Sandy helped with countless phone calls and helping with the books at the end of each day. They taught their children to work by having them do inventory, stock the delivery truck, and stock vending machines. They gardened together, canned fruits and vegetables together, laughed and cried together. Their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and their more than 37 years of marriage will be an example to follow for many future generations.

 She is survived by her brother, Skip (Diane) Chase; 12 children: David (Ranae) Turner, Rachel (Robert) McGee, Kari (Paul) Hoggan, Chris (Carrie) Kleven, Martha (Dusten) Hansen, Jon (Suzette) Kleven, Eric (Rachel) Kleven, Nolan (Sue) Turner, Katie (Brett) Jenson, Brian (Maralee) Turner, Lynn (Tricia) Turner, and Brady (Justina) Turner, 42 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wendle, sister, Pamela, and her parents. 

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 26, at the Smithfield Stake Center, 120 S. 600 East. A viewing will be from 6-8 p.m. at the Nelson Funeral Home, 85 S. Main Street in Smithfield on Thursday, July 25, and prior to the services from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Interment will be in the Smithfield City Cemetery. 

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com. The family would like to thank all the staff at Birch Creek Assisted Living of Smithfield and Atlas Home Care and Hospice for all their dedicated service.