Obituary of Marcia Catherine Turenne

Marcia Catherine Turenne, 85, passed away on September 2, 2021 after a lengthy illness. Her son, John, was by her side.

Marcia was born in International Falls to parents Ernie & Margaret (Withrow) Thiele on August 27, 1936. Marcia had wonderful memories from childhood of time spent at the home of her Grandma and Grandpa Withrow and family on Riverside Drive. She always said the “Falls” was a great place to grow up.

She met her future husband Paul when he pulled her pigtail at the age of 14. They became high school sweethearts and were joined in marriage on August 19, 1955 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. The couple was married 64 years.

The young couple moved to St. Cloud, MN and Marcia’s life as a military officer’s wife began when Paul graduated from ROTC program at St. John’s University. The family relocated over 15 times as Paul was stationed throughout the U.S. and Japan. 2 of her 7 children were born in St. Cloud, MN, 1 in Connecticut, 2 in New Richmond WI, 1 in Okinawa, Japan, and 1 in El Paso, TX. While it was a hardship, Marcia considered army life to be a marvelous learning experience.

When her husband was deployed to Vietnam for 13 months, Marcia returned home to International Falls with her 7 children to have the support of family. It was a scary time as Marcia received reel-to-reel recorded communications from her husband with military fire heard in the background. Every night the family would get on their knees and pray for the safe return of daddy and husband. After that, Marcia and Paul decided to end his active duty military career and make their home in Int’l. Falls.

Marcia was a wonderful mother to 7 children who were raised at 915 Riverside Drive. She was thrilled to have the space in a large house for her family. She decorated her home beautifully and all the neighborhood kids and friends were welcomed. She was an excellent cook and even won a contest for her seafood recipe. The house was also a home to several pet dogs and rabbits as Marcia shared her love of animals with her children.

In addition to being a housewife and mother to 7, Marcia was the dining room manager at the Holiday Inn. When she was in her 50s she returned to college at RRCC graduating with honors. She opened a women’s fashion shop in Int’l. Falls, Marcia’s on Main Street and also a shop in Warroad, Marcia’s on Lake Street. She was a life long member of St. Thomas Catholic Church. Her social life centered on her famous Bridge Club and many fun times were spent with those special ladies. She loved to laugh and had a classy sense of style.

Throughout her life, Marcia enjoyed time on Rainy Lake. She purchased a cabin on Grindstone Island where many happy family gatherings were enjoyed. After retirement, she and her husband were able to travel to Hawaii and Arizona. In her 80’s she and her husband relocated to the Twin Cities’ area to better access medical care and to be closer to family that could care for them.

Preceding Marcia in death were her husband Paul, parents Margaret and Ernie, and sister Mary Nasvik. Surviving children are Cathy Gordon (Tom Kupka), Judy Turenne, Tom Turenne, Susie Amidon (George), Paula Molnau (Keith), John Turenne, and Mike Turenne (Nikki). Grand children are Paul Amidon (Toriah), Charlie Gordon, Katie Molnau, John Molnau, and Elizabeth Molnau. Great grandchildren are Octavia and Sage Amidon. Also surviving her are brother Mike Thiele (Kathy) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Church on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with internment at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery immediately afterward. A 12:30 p.m. visitation will follow the burial at Aquinas Hall. Flowers may be delivered to St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 810 5th Street, Int’l. Falls, MN 56649. In Lieu of flowers, cards and memorials may be sent to Marcia Turenne Family at P. O. Box 172, Ranier, MN 56668