Death claimed Edward Lamar Turner, Jr., last Thursday morning, November 13, after a lingering illness. He was 91.

The former Luverne Mayor, Councilman, businessman and civic leader through his adult life, had been confined to Luverne Health and Rehabilitation for the past several months. His health declined steadily after his 90th birthday.

An ex-Naval veteran of WWII, Turner served in the European Theatre and returned to his native Luverne to begin a career as businessman, civic leader and to rear a family. He was wed earlier to Marjorie Holland, and the family of a wife and two children, Joy and Edward Turner III, lived for over twenty years on Sellers Avenue.

Turner was actively engaged in the Luverne Rotary Club from its inception in 1949 until his death. He served as its president in 1956 – 57, and during his long tenure was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship, the highest honor bestowed by Rotary.

Early in his business career, he became an area dealer for Standard Oil, and began Luverne Implement Company which dealt in major appliances, and managed the Ford Tractor dealership for many years.

Politics was no stranger to Turner as well, serving several four-year terms on the Luverne City Council, as well as its Mayor for a couple of terms. During one of his terms as Mayor, Luverne’s municipal park came into being, and the park was subsequently named in his honor.

He was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, Luverne, where eulogistic services were held Monday, November 17, at 11:00. Interment was held at Emmaus Cemetery following the service. See obituary inside for more details.