Virginia “Ginny” Turner (Clauss), born January 31, 1935, in Chicago, IL,  passed away on February 28, 2026 at home, surrounded by her family.   She married Robert D Turner on August 4, 1956 in Villa Park, IL.  They then moved to California where Bob was serving as a Lieutenant at Edwards Air Force Base.  After the Air Force, they returned home to Lake Forest, IL, to raise their family, and where they celebrated 61 years of marriage.

Ginny’s first job was at her father’s (Gustav Clauss) bakery in Chicago, IL, where she developed her lifelong love of sweets.  She later worked at Marshall Fields in Vernon Hills, IL, until retirement.  Ginny loved the outdoors.  Family trips to Sayner, WI (Plum Lake) were routine while her children were young.  Later, summer weekends were spent on their boat in Lake Geneva, WI.  At home, she enjoyed watching the deer and birds in the backyard.  She was not, however, a fan of the squirrels and chipmunks!  It was a common sight for neighbors to see her on her tractor mowing the yard up until her 90th birthday!

Ginny is survived by her sister Helen Hedgepeth of Lumberton, NC; son Ray Turner (Susan) of Gurnee, IL; daughter Rhonda Stevens (Phil) of High Ridge, MO, and two grandsons, James Stevens (Christina) of Arnold, MO, and Jonathan Stevens of Champaign, IL.  She was also known as “Grandma Ginny” to Jake and Logan Steinberger and Sean Smith, and “GG” (Great Grandma) to Finnegan and Keeva Smith.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Gustav and Marie Clauss of Tucson, AZ; husband, Robert (Bob) Turner of Lake Forest, IL; brothers, August Clauss of El Paso, TX; Robert Clauss of Middleton, WI; and Paul Clauss of Calabash, NC.

At her request, there will be no funeral service. Contributions may be made to a charitable organization of your choice.