Our Staff Jerry Turner began in funeral service in 1959 at the Cutler Funeral Home in Council Bluffs. During the early years he attended the University of Nebraska Omaha, graduating from Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science in 1962. In 1970 the Leyson Funeral Homes were purchased and in 1976 the Harpole- Tenold in Spirit Lake and Lake Park were acquired. Since 1985 the funeral homes the firm has been under the name of Turner Funeral Homes to reflect the ownership. Jerry is a member of Rotary, Gideons, is an Elder of New Journey Community Church, the Iowa Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. In the past, he has served on the Dickinson County Conservation Board, Dickinson County Compensation Board, President of Milford Housing, Inc for 30 years, served on the board of the IFDA and served on the board of Minn-Iowa Christian Broadcasting which operates radio stations in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. Jan Turner is a longtime resident of the Okoboji area and has been involved in school, community, and church activities. She and her husband Jerry live west of Milford on an acreage. Jan is the founder/executive director of Cherish Center (originally named Shepherd's Fold) and has developed and built Cherish House (maternity home for teens), Thee Garage Sale (thrift store), and Cherished for Life programs in the area to help strengthen families. She has led Bible studies for singles and women's groups, and also serves as worship director at New Journey Community Church. In the past, Jan served on the Okoboji School Board for 9 years and on the Iowa School Board Association representing 32 school districts for 4 years. She has been an inspirational speaker and co-wrote a music cd with her daughter Tara called "You Are Loved." She served as Mentor Mom for the area MOPS group and has also been involved in prison ministry for many years. Jan started a photographic studio west of Milford in the 70's called Photography by Jan Dannatt (later changed to Creative Photography) and in the 80's leased it to one of her employees. She was named one of Iowa's Top Ten Photographers. Her greatest fulfillment, however, has come from raising her two daughters: Tara (William) Rabenberg of Redwood Falls, MN, and Jody (Greg) Jenness of Spirit Lake, and being a grandmother to Jacob, Tyler, Kailee, and Emma Jenness, and Ben, Sam, and Walker Rabenberg. Her hobbies include fishing, boating, tennis, camping, golf, biking, computer graphics, hosting their annual Fall Party, and studying Scripture. | | | | Greg Jenness has been on staff as a funeral director at Turner Funeral Homes since 1996. He previously served at funeral homes in Sioux City, Iowa, and Oak Park, Illinois. Greg has lived in northwest Iowa his entire life, graduating from Primghar High School. He received his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Northwestern College in Orange City and in 1995 graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Greg has been involved in Kinship of Dickinson County as both a mentor and on the board of directors. He is a member of Good News Community Church in Okoboji, where he has served on the Leadership Team. He currently serves on the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Greg enjoys camping with his family, officiating high school football and baseball, and coaching his children's athletic teams. Jody Jenness has been employed at Turner Funeral Home since 2001. She was raised and educated in Milford, graduating from Okoboji High School. She recieved her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Business Administration and Management at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. Jody is a member of Good News Community Church in Okoboji, where she plays the piano and facilitates Pioneer Club, a midweek youth program. She is active in the elementary and middle school P.I.E. (Partners In Education) organizations, elementary B.I.T. committee, and serves on the Spirit Lake Little League Board. Jody enjoyes playing volleyball, coaching her children's athletic teams and spending time with her family. Greg and Jody are the parents of four children; Jacob, Tyler, Kailee and Emma. | | | | Merle Wickman has been on staff at Turner Funeral Homes since 1983. He is a graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and a 20-year licensed Iowa Funeral Service Practitioner. Merle is also licensed as a Minnesota funeral practitioner. Merle and his wife Barb have two children: Sarah, a marine biologist for Disney at Epcot and Amity, a student at Okoboji High School. | | We are pleased to have Ron Knudson and Bob Moore assist on funeral services as well as Willa Reverts, Sheila Tritle, Rita Tesch and Julie Nillis as visitation attendents. |
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