Thief River Falls, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Family and friends in Marshall County are remembering Edward “Ed” Turn.
He was 79 and died unexpectedly on Thursday morning, November 20, 2025.
His passing came at Encompass Health in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Edward Charles “Ed” Turn, longtime banker and community volunteer.
Early Life and Education
Edward Charles Turn was born on October 22, 1946, in Crookston, Minnesota.
His parents were Edwin and Inez (Anderson) Turn.
Ed grew up in Thief River Falls and attended local schools.
He graduated from Thief River Falls High School in 1964.
After high school, he studied finance at AVTI in Thief River Falls.
He later continued his banking education.
In 1984, Ed graduated from the School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
More information about that program is available from the UW–Madison Graduate School of Banking.
Marriage, Family, and Early Banking Years
On July 25, 1970, Ed married Linda Engelstad.
The wedding took place at Grace United Methodist Church in Warren.
Details about that denomination can be found on the United Methodist Church website.
Ed and Linda made their home in Warren for 30 years.
They raised two sons, Scott and Jeffrey.
He began his career at Crookston National Bank.
He later joined the State Bank of Warren, now part of Bremer.
He worked there for more than three decades.
Moves to Roseau and Thief River Falls
In 2000, Ed and Linda moved to Roseau.
Ed served as president of Border State Bank for four years.
Information on that institution is available through the Border State Bank website.
He later finished his career at Unity Bank in Red Lake Falls and Thief River Falls.
After 54 years in banking, Ed retired in 2019.
Co-workers recall his calm style, careful work, and steady leadership.
Service, Volunteering, and Community Roles
Serving others was central to Ed’s life.
He was a longtime member of the Warren Ambulance Corps and once served as president.
He also served on the Grace United Methodist Church Board.
His volunteer work reached many local groups and boards.
Ed served on the Marshall County Fair Board and the Good Samaritan Center Advisory Board.
He also helped the Marshall County DAC and the Northwest Regional Development Board.
He sat on the Warren Star City Commission and helped shape community projects.
He was a founding member of the Warren Jaycees.
He received the Outstanding Young Man of America Award in 1982.
Ed also served as treasurer of the WAO Booster Club.
He chaired the ODC board until his death.
Ed was an active Lions Club member in Warren, Roseau, Red Lake Falls, and Thief River Falls.
More information on Lions service work is available at the Lions Clubs International website.
Sports, Family Time a,nd the Outdoors
Ed loved sports and followed many local teams.
He attended games for his children and later his grandchildren.
If he was not at a game, he listened on the radio or watched on television.
He enjoyed time with family and watching his grandchildren grow.
He followed their activities and sporting events with pride.
His favorite tradition was an annual fishing trip to Lake of the Woods.
He went there with his sons and grandchildren.
They made many memories and plenty of fishing stories.
Ed also loved to hunt with his sons and grandson.
He joined a hunting crew he had known for decades.
Family members say those trips were highlights of his year.
Caregiving and the Family He Leaves Behind
Ed was a strong caregiver for Linda in recent years.
When his own health failed in August, Linda helped care for him in return.
They met while working at a bank.
They shared 55 years of marriage and built a family they loved deeply.
In addition to Linda, Ed is survived by his sons,
Scott (Christie) Turn of Bemidji and Jeffrey (Lisa) Turn of East Grand Forks.
Grandchildren are Mackenzie (Ethan) Granger, Mariah Page, Jordis Turn,
Carson Turn and Peyton Turn.
Great-grandchildren are Miles, Wrenley, and Axel Granger.
He is also survived by nieces and nephews:
Jon Lehtinen, Tracy Lehtinen, Vickie (Matthew) Temple,
Corey (Shanon) Spilde and Elizabeth (Mike) Rowe.
Many great-nieces and great-nephews also survive him.
Ed was preceded in death by his sister, Trudy (Rayno) Lehtinen.
He was also preceded by his parents, Edwin and Inez Turn.
In-laws Wells “Bunty” and Lorene Engelstad, and sister-in-law Judi (Craig) Spilde, also passed before him.
Funeral, Burial, and Online Guestbook
Funeral services for Ed Turn will be held Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 10:30 a.m.
Services will take place at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Warren.
Pastor James Crandall of Grace United Methodist Church will preside.
Information about Our Savior’s and other Lutheran congregations is available from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Visitation will be held one hour before the service.
Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Warren.
Funeral arrangements are with DuBore Funeral Home of Warren.
An online guestbook is available at DuBoreFuneralHome.com.
Grief resources and support can also be found through programs like GriefShare.
Family and friends say Ed will be remembered for his service, his steady work, and his deep love for family.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
