Patricia “Pat” Turner, 83 years of age, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Kenwood View Health and Rehabilitation Center, Salina, Kansas. She was born November 7, 1941, to Ezra and Lucille Bernhardt from rural Lost Springs, Kansas.
Pat attended and graduated from Central High School, Lincolnville, Kansas, in May 1959. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Education from The Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia, Kansas, in January 1963.
On January 20, 1963, she married her lifelong soulmate, Roger Turner at St John’s Lutheran Church, Lincolnville, Kansas, and they just celebrated their 62nd anniversary. From this Union, they had two children, their daughter Tamera “Tammi”, born October 28, 1965, and their son, Tracy, born May 21, 1968.
Pat started her teaching career on January 21, 1963, at Sunset Elementary School and then also taught for 2 years at Gleniffer Hill Elementary School, both in Salina, Kansas. She opened her own preschool, ABC Preschool, in August 1970 out of her and Roger’s home which is where she taught over 1,200 young children until her retirement in May 2007. Throughout her 39 years of teaching which accounted for 32,800 hours, Pat facilitated a learning environment that encouraged her students to be creative and instilled in each of them important life values encompassing courage, kindness, honesty, patience, love and gratitude.
Pat was a long-time devout member of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Salina, Kansas, and had a deep, abiding faith in her Lord and Savior.
The most important thing to Pat was family and she was a devoted wife, mom, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister who will all miss her deeply. Second to her family, the students that she taught throughout her career were her pride and joy. Everywhere that Pat went, she would run into someone that was either one of her former students or a parent of a former student.
Survivors include her husband Roger of Salina; daughter and son-in-law, Tammi and Brett Hindman, Lee’s Summit, Missouri; son and daughter-in-law, Tracy and Yvonne Turner, Solomon, Kansas; Grandchildren Jordan Hindman (Amy), Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Joshua Hindman (Hannah) Kansas City, Missouri; Lindsae Hindman, Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Connie Jacobs, Salina, Kansas; Trevor Turner (Casey) of Falun, Kansas; and Great Grandchildren, Peyton and Brayden Jacobs, Salina, Kansas; Trace and Lennox Turner, Falun, Kansas; her brother, Max Bernhardt (Kathy), Richmond, Virginia; sister, Judy Kill, Marion, Kansas; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Ezra and Lucille Bernhardt and brother Leland Bernhardt.
Visitation and viewing of the casket will take place on Thursday, February 6th from 5-7 pm with the Funeral service to be held on February 7th at 11 am all at Roselawn Memorial Heights Chapel, 1920 East Crawford, Salina, Kansas. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery.
If desired, memorial gifts may be given in Pat’s honor to Olivia’s Playground, Salina, Kansas, either through Roselawn or directly to the Salina Regional Foundation via their website, srhealthfoundation.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Roselawn Burial and Cremation Services. Online Condolences may be sent to www.roselawnsalina.com.