Leslie "Les" Turner

Leslie Les Morris Turner passed away January 2, 2017, at Peace Hospice at the age of 94.He was born on December 30, 1922 in Helena, Montana, to Frederick and Rosa Annie (Garrood) Turner. Born on the south side of Helena, much of his time was spent exploring, hunting and camping in the mountains and forests and fishing in the rivers, lakes and streams near Helena and around Montana. These activities continued for as long as he was able.During high school, Les began an apprenticeship in cabinetmaking at Foleys Cabinet Shop. His apprenticeship continued after he graduated from Helena High School and he helped to build cabinets, windows, and doors for what was then called East Base (Malmstrom). When World War II broke out, Les headed to Seattle to work in the shipyards and he often talked of building cabinetry and equipment for the warships, especially for PT boats. Upon his return to Helena, Les had a variety of work experiences which included working at the smelter in East Helena, the Archie Bray brickyard and finally at Claflins Furniture, where he learned to install linoleum and carpet.He married the love of his life, Doris Powell, on June 3, 1947, and they were married for 63 years when she passed away in 2010. He and Doris lived and worked in Helena where they had twin sons, Bob and Jim, in 1950. The family moved to Great Falls in 1954, where their youngest son, Randy was born in 1956. In Great Falls, Les worked at the Paris, installing carpet and then started his own carpet installation business in 1957, which continued until 1978 when he went to work for Great Falls "public" Schools as an engineer at East Middle School. He retired from this job in 1988.For Les and Doris, retirement consisted of traveling, camping, gardening and lots and lots of bingo. Les was a member of the Elks for more than 50 years and he and Doris hardly ever missed Tuesday night bingo at the Elks Club and also made a couple of bingo trips to Mesquite, Nevada each year.Survivors include sons, Jim (Laurie) and Randy (Karen) of Great Falls, and Bob (Charlotte) of Odessa, FL; six grandchildren, Kami, Jacob, Lydia, Rachael, Lindsey and Erica; and six great-grandchildren, Turner, Carter, Lilly, Bennet, Olivia, and Abigail.Les was preceded in death by an infant son, Robert Wayne; wife Doris; his parents; and sister, Florence Johnson.Services will be held at Westside United Methodist Church on Monday, January 9, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. There will be a private interment at Highland Cemetery. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Memorials may be made to Peace Hospice, Intermountain Childrens Home in Helena, Westside United Methodist Church or the charity of choice.Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.