Sharon Merle Stanger Turnblom

Sharon Merle Stanger Turnblom was born on January 6, 1933. She passed away on her 89th birthday, January 6, 2022. She was born to Archibald Stanger and Beatrice Holmes Stanger in Ogden, Utah. She was the youngest of eight siblings, Eleanor Leila Stanger, Clifford Eugene Stanger, Joseph Leland Stanger, Sarah Ellen Stanger Mitchell, Claunda (Connie) Elizabeth Stanger Brown, Donna Bea Stanger Minor, and Archibald Dee Stanger, all of whom preceded her in death.

Sharon grew up in Marriot, Utah on her parent’s farm. She spent most of her time with her father working hard side by side in the fields and tending to other life activities together. Her father was one of her closest companions. In 1949, she was serving refreshments at a “Gold and Green Ball,” when she met Carl Henry Turnblom. He eventually worked up the courage to ask the pretty redheaded girl to dance. He drove her home from the dance and promptly got stuck in the snow. Everyone else leaving the dance had to figure out how to make it around them. Sharon’s father had to pull them out of the snow with his horses leaving Carl worried about his first impression. They later married and have enjoyed 72 years of marriage.  They lived in Redondo Beach California for several years then returned to Utah. They lived in Rose Park until 1968 when they moved to Bountiful.

Sharon was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served in many positions throughout her life including Relief Society President and Primary President. She also served several missions for the church with her husband Carl at the Family History Library. Sharon was an active member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and volunteered for many years in their museum.

She loved gardening. She grew many beautiful flowers including her prized roses. She also tended a large vegetable garden, for which she enlisted the help of her kids and later grandkids to help prepare the fruits and vegetables for canning. She loved hand quilting and won multiple ribbons at the State Fair for her quilts. She gifted each of her children and granddaughters a beautiful handmade quilt when they were married. Sharon also was an accomplished culinary artist. She made and decorated beautiful and elaborate cakes. Every year she decorated cakes for each of her seven kids’ birthdays. Later, she made them elegant wedding cakes that no bakery could match. She is also remembered for her tradition of making sugar Easter eggs and ginger bread houses.

Sharon will be remembered and missed by her family, and many people whose lives she touched. She is survived by her husband Carl and their seven children: Sharon Gayle Gillespie (Robin), Carl Dean Turnblom (Vickie), Jean Brunson (Gordon), Bruce Alma Turnblom (Anita), Bryan David Turnblom (Kristi), Scott Gregory Turnblom, and Todd Allen Turnblom (Karen) as well as 28 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Funeral Services will be held at the Val Verda Stake Center, 2651 South 500 West, Bountiful Utah on Friday, January 14, 2022. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. with a viewing taking place from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services.  She will be interred at the Bountiful Cemetery.

Funeral services will be broadcast via this Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/98439077732?pwd=VDh6d0xaL2lNRTJUTGVHdEl3TjdzQT09

Services will also be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and Sharon’s obituary page at www.russonmortuary.com. Live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to 11 a.m. services.