ADELLE JANETTE TURPEN
Adelle Janette Turpen
Adelle Janette Kitto Turpen, 87, of Wimberley, Texas went to sleep in Jesus on Friday March 8, 2019.
Born in Fresno, California, on May 21, 1931, Adelle was the youngest of three children born to Dora Belle Wallace and Robert Henry Kitto. As the daughter of a Seventh-day Adventist teacher and pastor, Adelle moved several times during her life. She graduated from Pacific Union College in Angwin, California, with a Bachelor’s degree that was the foundation for her many talents. In 1952 she met the love of her life, Donald Turpen. They were married on July 5, 1953.
Adelle would have loved to have been home with her children, but her path took her in another direction. Over her life she would be a restaurant owner, manager, and cook; an office manager for seven neurosurgeons overseeing an office of more than 50 employees; a substitute teacher; a hospital president; a para-legal; and finally, the City Secretary for the City of Wimberley, Texas.
Adelle was a lifelong and devout Seventh-day Adventist Christian and was very active in her church. She loved planning imaginative programs, social events, and potluck lunch. She was active up until the very end when she would write the weekly e-newsletter even though she could no longer attend services.
She sacrificed to make sure that all four of her children had a Seventh-day Adventist Christian education.
Adelle was active in the Wimberley community as well. In retirement, she volunteered for Keep Wimberley Beautiful and donated countless hours working in the Village Thrift Store which benefits many local nonprofit organizations. As a seamstress she sewed for her family, made dresses for orphans in Honduras, alterations for friends, and enjoyed creative sewing projects for her home.
She loved working in her yard and taking care of her plants, and once received a Wimberley Yard of the Month award. She collected quite an array of birdhouses and loved sitting on her back porch taking in the fruit of her labors.
She is preceded in death by Don Turpen in 1979, and her older brother Robert Everett Kitto in 2010, and is survived by her sister, Doreen Kitto Clark of Port Angeles, WA. Her four children include: Kathleen Davis and her husband Gary of Wimberley, TX ; Kenneth Turpen and his wife, Sandra, of Hermitage, TN; Karen Oldmixon of Wimberley, TX, and Kraig Turpen and his wife, Terri of Fredericksburg, TX. Her grandchildren, of whom she was immensely proud, are: Bryan Laue of Spokane, WA; Marc Laue of Midland, TX ; Scott Laue of Arlington, TX; Kelsey Laue Magers of Vancouver, WA; Kenneth Turpen, Jr. of Ooltewah, TN; Kara Turpen Rachal of Sonora, CA; Sophia & Diego Walwyn of Hermitage, TN; Chace Oldmixon of Moscow, Russia; Shayne Oldmixon of Austin, TX; Shannon Oldmixon of Austin, TX; Daniel Oldmixon of Englewood, CO; Haley Turpen of Belton, TX; and Aaron Turpen of Fredericksburg, TX. In addition, her legacy includes seven great-grandchildren: Levi, Sydney, & Isaac Laue; Jaxon Laue; Molly & Nolan Turpen; and Calvin Oldmixon.
Adelle was a wonderful and dedicated, daughter, mother, sister, wife, and friend. There will remain a huge void in many lives and a legacy that will go on forever.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the San Marcos Seventh-day Adventist Church – 1523 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, TX 78666, at 2 PM on May 11, 2019. The family invites you for Church at 11 AM, Potluck Lunch following Church, and the Celebration of Life service at 2 PM.
For more information contact Kathy Davis at [email protected].To share a photo or special memory/story of Adelle for the Celebration of Life service please email [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to The Emily Ann Theater & Gardens in Wimberley where Adelle volunteered and had many close friends. www.emilyann.org or call (512) 847-6969.