In Memory of Herbert J. Turin

 Herbert J. Turin, age 84, of Wall Lake, Iowa, (formerly of Odebolt, Iowa) passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the Twilight Acres Nursing Home in Wall Lake, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 5, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Kiron, Iowa. Pastor Wayne Stowers & Pastor Billy Bergman will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Kiron Cemetery in Kiron, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Kiron, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the Cheer Committee at the First Baptist Kiron Church, 107 Clover Street, PO Box 220, Kiron, Iowa, 51448.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Herbert John Turin was born on October 8, 1941, in Battle Creek, Iowa, to Herbert Piersol and Evelyn (Johnson) Turin. From the beginning, his life was rooted in the land. He was raised on the family farm east of Odebolt, Iowa, where he learned early the values of hard work, stewardship, humility, and faith.

Herb attended school in Odebolt until his junior year, when his path led him to Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri. There, he developed discipline and leadership, graduating in 1959. His intellectual curiosity and love of learning carried him on to Yale University, where he earned a degree in Economics in 1963.

It was during his college years that a simple act of encouragement changed the course of his life. At the urging of his aunt Lorraine, Herb reached out to Joan Lundberg, a young woman he had met years earlier at the funeral of her grandfather, John Cedergren. That renewed connection blossomed into a lifelong partnership.

On August 5, 1967, Herb and Joan were married in Mill Valley, California. Together they chose a life grounded in family and tradition, returning to the farm east of Odebolt. There, Herb farmed alongside his father before eventually taking over the family’s operation.  Herb also served faithfully in the Army Reserves from 1963 to 1969, continuing his commitment to service.

Herb and Joan were blessed with three children Heather, Jason, and Jennifer, who were the center of his world. Though farming demanded long days and early mornings, Herb always made time to show up: cheering from the sidelines, attending activities, and later delighting in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He found joy in time spent playing tennis with Joan, family, and friends.

A man deeply committed to community; Herb was a Mason for 50 years and an active Shriner for a short time. He helped found the Sac County Wheat Growers, and in 1974 he was elected to serve on the Iowa Soybean Association Board.

Herb was also a man of books. An avid reader, he loved spending time in libraries, with his favorite being the Buena Vista University Library. His home was filled with an extensive library which he took pride in and loved to share with others.

In his later years, Herb’s faith became an even greater anchor. He was an active member of First Baptist Church in Kiron, where he served in many capacities. Of all his roles, his favorite was serving on the Cheer Committee, bringing encouragement, visits, and kindness to those who needed it most. Quietly and faithfully, Herb lived out his belief in loving others through action.

He stayed connected to the world around him following local and national news, and following his favorite team the Boston Celtics.

Herb passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. He leaves behind a legacy rooted in the land, strengthened by faith, and carried forward by generations who learned from his steady example. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a faithful Christian, and friend.

Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of 58 years, Joan Turin of Wall, Lake, IA; Heather (Sean) German of Georgia, Jason (Michelle) Turin of Waterloo, IA, Jennifer (Doug) Vondrak of Lake View, IA; grandchildren: Brady (Morgan) Huls, Alex German, Reed Vondrak, Nicole German, Erik (Eliana) German, Gavin (Sarah) Vondrak, Evan (Fiancée Paige Andersen) Turin, Aden Vondrak, Kate Vondrak, and Lauryn Turin; great grandchildren: Barrett, Wrenley, and Sawyer Huls, and Emery Vondrak; extended family and friends.

 Herb was preceded in death by his parents Herbert P. and Evelyn Turin and sister E. Janice Christian.