Obituary - Dee Ann Turck

Dee Ann Turck, 81, of Havre, MT, passed away on Sunday, July 26th, 2020, at Eventide Heartland Care Center in Devils Lake, ND.

Dee Ann, the second daughter of Buck and Irene (French) Ryder, was born May 20th, 1939, in Williston, ND. She grew up and attended school in Froid, MT. Following her high school graduation in 1957, she attended Montana State University in Bozeman to earn her Bachelor of Education and later earned her Master of Education from Montana State University-Northern in Havre.

On August 13th, 1961 she married Keith Ivan Turck in Billings, MT. They taught in Bridger from 1961-1962 before making their home in Havre, MT, where they raised their three sons, Geoff, Brad, and Jason.

Throughout her life, Dee Ann was a devoted educator, working in various levels of the education system. She discovered her passion for assisting students with career management while working as the Career Center coordinator at Northern Montana College in 1985. She then became the director of human resources in 1991 and remained in this position until her retirement in 1998.

Following her retirement, she worked with the Havre Job Service for a short time.

In line with her passion for education, Dee Ann was an active member of the Chapter V P.E.O. International Sisterhood, which provides scholarships and support to assist women in advancing their education and reaching their goals. She served as the president of this organization twice and invested much of her time in fundraising efforts. She was active in the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church and politics, as well.

Evident to all who knew her, Dee Ann was a loyal, true friend who placed great value on the friendships she formed in Havre. She had a positive, lasting impression on many people throughout her life. Always willing to entertain, she often had people over for coffee and a taste of her adventurous cooking.

One of Dee Ann's greatest joys was being a grandma to and spoiling her two grandchildren, Shelby and Spencer. She enjoyed road trips to North Dakota to visit them as well as several Turck family vacations, during which she participated in adventures, such as ziplining in Whistler, B.C.

When Dee Ann wasn't busy working, fundraising, or entertaining, she enjoyed travelling to Seattle, adventures, such as skydiving in Italy, solving puzzles, and attending symphonies and concerts in Great Falls.

Dee Ann is survived by her three sons, Geoffrey Turck of Seattle, WA, Bradley (Mary) Turck of Devils Lake, ND, and Jason Turck of Seattle WA, two grandchildren, Shelby Turck of Devils Lake, ND and Spencer Turck of Devils Lake, ND, and one niece, Kim Brady of Issaquah, WA.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith; sister, Ivell; and her parents, Buck and Irene.

The family of Dee Ann would like to thank the staff of Eventide Heartland Memory Care Unit for the incredible care, compassion, and comfort they provided over the last eight years.

A celebration of life for Dee Ann will be held at a later date in Havre, MT.