Deborah Jo Turner, 62, passed away at her home on Sunday, February 5, 2017, after a courageous 2 ½ year battle with colon cancer. She was under the care of Northern Hills Hospice and her family.

Debbie was born in Deadwood, South Dakota on February 25, 1954, to William Bradley and Carol (Sorensen) Hunt. She grew up in Vale, SD and attended Vale School. She graduated from Newell High School in 1972.

While attending Black Hills State College, she met and married Thomas Stokes. To this union three children were born: Rebecca Carol, Daniel Louis, and Jay William.

On June 27, 1998 she married Robert David Turner. She and Bob returned to college and both graduated with Business Administration degrees in 2002.

Debbie worked in many administrative positions throughout her career and at the time of her death was Executive Director of the Spearfish Senior Center.

She was active outside of work in P.E.O., Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW and American Legion Riders, riding her own bike until she suffered a foot injury. Debbie was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and sang in the choir.

Her family was very important to her. She will be missed by her husband, Bob; daughter, Rebecca (Dave) Humphries; sons, Daniel (Bethany) Stokes, and Jay (Rosalynn) Stokes; sister, Dianne Hunt; brother, Donovan (Brenda) Hunt; her mother, Carol (Gordon) Vercoe; and special nephew, Bradly (McKayla) Hunt; and Bob's family; Lynette (Martin) Johnson, Shawna Mellott, and Alissa (Mike) McFarlane. Twelve grandchildren; Devon, Noah, Alivia Humphries, Clyde and Sloane Stokes, Seth Turner, Nicole Drijfhout, James Fallo, Reese Mellott, Meredith and Mikey McFarlane, Autumn Fallo, and two great-grandchildren; Jakoby and Sylas Floyd, also many cousins, aunts, and uncles will miss her.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Roy and Elsie Sorensen, and Fred and Mary Hunt; and her dad William Hunt.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Spearfish VFW Post 5860.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2017 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 10:00 AM at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood, SD. Burial will follow the funeral service at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.