Marla Lee Turner, age 75, of Elliott, Iowa, passed away Monday, May 5, 2025, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Marla Lee Miller was born November 10, 1949, in Red Oak, Iowa, the daughter of Max L. and Margaret J. (Welsch) Miller. She was raised on the Miller family farm. Marla was the shadow of her mother and grandmother as they worked on the farm dressing chickens, raising a garden and cooking meals for the hired help. Growing up, Marla enjoyed dance lessons, twirling the baton, singing in the youth choir at church, participating in 4-H as a member of the Sherman Overall Girls 4-H club, Rainbow Girls, vacationing at Little Pine Lake in Perham, Minnesota and being involved with numerous shenanigans with her Welsch cousins. In high school, she was involved in the glee club, choir, pep club, FHA, FFA, basketball, softball and school plays. She also worked as a CNA at Murphy Memorial Hospital in Red Oak. Marla graduated from the Griswold Community High School in 1967.

On May 26, 1967, Marla married Douglas Lee Turner at the Elliott Church of Christ where they met while they both sang in the youth choir. Doug and Marla lived in several states while Doug was stationed in the service including Texas, Arizona, Indiana, and Missouri, before settling in Elliott, Iowa. Marla was 100% mother. Marla was known to make clothes for her girls, dressing them in the same styles but different colors. She spent her time as a room mother for each of her children's elementary classrooms, a Girl Scout leader, 4-H leader, Bible school teacher and hosted numerous team meals for her children's athletic teams. Marla worked as a physical therapy aide at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital for many years. Later she worked at the Elliott Public Library and was an Avon representative for over 50 years. She was a member of the Elliott Church of Christ her entire life, where she served as a deaconess and financial secretary. Marla enjoyed her GAB club friends and their outings. She also enjoyed reading, having a big garden, canning, making pickles, cooking and baking.

Marla was preceded in death by her parents: Max and Margaret Miller; infant twin brothers: Douglas Charles and Dennis Harry on February 17, 1954; husband: Douglas Lee Turner on October 5, 2018; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Philip and Viola Turner and brothers-in-law: Philip "Larry" Turner and Myron McCunn. Survivors include her children: Michelle Cross and husband Chuck of Indianola, Iowa; Barbara Gilliland and husband Toby of Red Oak, Iowa; Dawn LeRette and husband Brian of Red Oak, Iowa; and Mark Turner and wife Lori of Elliott, Iowa; grandchildren: Mitch Cross and fiancée Ashton Lamborn of Nashua, Iowa; Chase Cross and Megan Cross of Indianola, Iowa; Danielle Terry and husband David of Shenandoah, Iowa; Tanner Gilliland and wife Audrey of Overland Park, Kansas; Jaydan Gilliland of Red Oak, Iowa; and Joshua LeRette of Red Oak, Iowa; great grandchildren: Noah and Ellie Jo Terry of Shenandoah, Iowa; cousin-sister: Candy Tischer and husband John of Elliott, Iowa; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Judy Turner of Elliott, Iowa; Diane McCunn of Orion, Illinois; Todd Turner and wife Terri of Wales, Iowa; and Tracy Turner and wife Sherri of Elliott, Iowa; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and a community of friends.

Funeral services will be held 11 AM Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the Elliott Church of Christ in Elliott, Iowa. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Elliott, Iowa. Visitation with the family will be held from 5-7 PM Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the LeRette Funeral Chapel in Red Oak. Memorials are suggested to the Elliott Church of Christ or the Elliott Public Library.

LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.