Wendell (Max) Turnquist, 86 - April 01, 2012

Wendell “Max” Turnquist, 86, of Gothenburg, died April 1, 2012, at the Grand Island Veteran’s Home.
Register books signing will be held Wednesday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 12, at the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Ivey officiating.
Turnquist was born March 10, 1926, in Gothenburg on the Turnquist farm, son of Godfrey Elam and Edith Lillian (Johnson) Turnquist Lindberg.
He grew up in the New Hope and Etna area and graduated from Gothenburg High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army in the Philippines where he received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon and the Philippine Liberation Service Ribbon and a bronze star.
He lived for a short while in Valley where he met his wife Sue. They were married in Omaha. To this union, two children were born: Mitzi and Greg.
Turnquist was very active in his community. He was the past president of the Gothenburg School Board and the Gothenburg Hospital Board. He also served on the Senior Center Board. He was a commander in the American Legion, a Boys State counselor and a MOPS helper.
He loved to garden and his children loved to be recipients of his produce, especially his tomatoes and potatoes. His passion was people. He could always be counted on for conversation and a smile, the family said.
Turnquist was preceded in death by: his parents; brother, G.E. Turnquist Jr.; and brother-in-law Bernard Dennis.
Survivors include: his wife Sue; daughter Mitzi (Barrett) Stinson of Grand Island; son Gregory (Holly) Turnquist; Rochester Hills, MI; two grandsons—Gaven and Kelton Turnquist; sister Ellen Jean Dennis; brother Donald Dale (Kathy) Turnquist along with many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
Memorials may be given to the Gothenburg Education Foundation.