Venedee Nelson Turnbull

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Venedee “Dee” Nelson Turnbull celebrated her 100th birthday on Feb. 29, 2012. Dee is the 10th and youngest child born to James and Mary Olsen Nelson of Ferron. She attended schools in Ferron and Wasatch Academy. Dee suffered a rapid and progressive loss in her ability to hear during her teen years and as a result has spent the remainder of her lifetime dealing with deafness. Despite her handicap she has always been able to do many things. She became an accomplished “lip reader” and has enjoyed a very happy and productive life.
Dee married Mitchell “Mike” Turnbull in Standardville on Oct. 16, 1931. They lived in several Carbon County mining communities before settling in the East Carbon area in the late 1940s, where they raised their son and daughter. Dee is an active member of the LDS church. One of her greatest loves was teaching lessons in the Relief Society. She also has fond memories of many young women in the East Carbon area who she taught in MIA and the 4-H program. Dee has always been a very loving and caring person.
In 1970 Mike and Dee were called to serve an LDS mission in Austrailia, which was a “dream come true.” Dee had thought her deafness might prevent her from serving, but that was not the case and their mission was completed successfully. They both fell in love with the people and the area, and Dee still enjoys her memories of that wonderful time.
Mike suffered a severe stroke in 1972 and the couple soon moved to St. George where the warm climate made things easier for them. What a cute pair they were. Dee couldn’t hear and Mike couldn’t talk, but Dee made sure they had what they needed. Dee provided wonderful care for Mike for 17 years before he passed away in 1988 after 57 years of marriage. Dee has lived in Bountiful since 2005.
Dee is very proud of her family. Her son, Gary (Geri) Turnbull lives in Bountiful, and her daughter, Lynn (Don) Butler lives in Mendon, Utah. She has five granddaughters: Patricia Pickett, California, D’Lynn DuVall, Delaware, Debra Morris, Kansas, Denise Johnson, Providence, Utah and Diana Warren, Mapleton, Utah. A grandson, Michael Turnbull, is deceased. Dee has 18 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.