With heavy hearts and endless love, we announce the passing of our beloved mom, wife, sister, friend, who lived a full and meaningful life surrounded by family, faith, friendship, and laughter.
Carole was the second born child to Douglas Gorton and Elsie (LeBaron-Gorton) Burgess and raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin where she started her education at Luther Hospital. Carole completed her education at the University of Minnesota in Radiology where she met her husband, Gary Turner. They were married on November 21, 1964. Throughout her life, she moved often in support of her husband’s career, creating homes and building community wherever life took their family. No matter what the city or season, she had a gift for turning a house into a welcoming place filled with love, laughter, faith, and goulash, or coffee. Family meant everything to her, and she proudly wore many titles throughout her life — Daughter, Wife, Mom, Sister, Gram Tonto, GG, and to many nieces and nephews, simply “Favorite Aunt Carole.”
Her faith guided the way she lived and loved. She was deeply devoted to her church community and found great purpose through her involvement with the Walk to Emmaus movement, prison ministry, and mission work helping others though United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). She believed in showing up for people when they needed it most and lived out her faith through kindness, service, compassion, and “making a larger table”.
She loved her book clubs, water aerobics, bible studies, meaningful conversations, and gathering with the people she loved most. She was also proudly known as the “Garage Sale Queen,” always on the hunt for a bargain, a hidden treasure, or something she absolutely did not need but somehow couldn’t pass up.
Her family will forever smile remembering her sassy sense of humor, fierce loyalty, and her ability to make ordinary moments unforgettable.
Some of her favorite sayings were “I love you…you…you… to her grandchildren and great grandchildren and simply, “Eat Cake,” which perfectly captured her outlook on life — celebrate often, don’t take things too seriously, and always make room for joy and dessert.
She will be remembered by all for her blessing “May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent one from another.”
She was an artist, known for coloring, painting and doodling on anything including rocks.
More than anything, she will be remembered for her kind heart, kind eyes, unwavering faith, and the love she gave so freely. She made people feel seen, valued, and deeply cared for.
She leaves behind a loving family including her spouse Gary Turner, Children: Brent (Karen), Dana (Colin), C.J. (Michelle), and Nichole. Grandchildren; Zachary, Brittney (Brian), Croix, Dalton (Brianna), Lincoln, Grayson, Zander, Ryder, Maddy, and Jaxson. Great Grandchildren; Charlie, George, and Cameron. Sibling; Marge(Mike). Siblings in law; Diane, Greg (Linda), Rhonda, lap cat Benito and countless other family and friends who will miss her dearly but will continue sharing her stories, her laughter, and her love for years to come.
Preceded in death by parents; Douglas Gorton and Elsie Burgess, parents in law; Arden and Verna Turner. siblings; Charlie, Danny, Mary Jo, Suanne. nieces and nephews Kimmy, Guy Matthew, Michael.
Services will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, where she was a faithful member of the church community. Family and friends are invited to gather, celebrate her life, and honor the remarkable woman who meant so much to so many.
A special thank you to Carole’s hospice team at Midwest Hospice who took such good care of Carole and her family during her battle with Pancreatic Cancer.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Carole’s memory to Grace United Methodist Church.
Though our hearts are broken, we are grateful for every hug, every laugh, every prayer, every blessing, and every “I love you” she shared with us.
Funeral Services will be held at:
Grace United Methodist Church 15309 Maple Island Rd.
Burnsville, MN 55306
Saturday June 13, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Burial will be held at:
Henry on the Hill
35919 Edgewood Rd
Harmony MN 55939
Sunday June 14 at 1pm.
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