Phyllis Welker Turgoose, 57, returned home to her Heavenly Father as a result of an accidental fall Monday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2005.

She is loved and missed by her many family members and friends.

She is survived by her husband Larry E. Turgoose of Langley; her children Aaron Turgoose (Kari) of Kennewick, Ada (David) Orth of Nibley, Utah, Brian (Aspen) Turgoose of Langley, Elizabeth (Timothy) Jimenez of Moscow, Idaho, George (Debra) Turgoose of Pocatello, Idaho, Marsha Turgoose of Langley, and William Turgoose, who is serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Taiwan. She is also survived by her 14 grandchildren; by her mother, Georgina Welker of Aiken, S.C.; and six brothers and sisters, Louise (Walter) Peck of Freeland, Gerald (Linda) Welker of Henderson, Texas, Kathleen (Craig) Moore of Spokane, Thomas (Becky) Welker of Worchester, Mass., Douglas (Carol) Welker of Aiken, S.C., and Adam (Mary) Welker of Kirkland.

Phyllis was born in Safford, Ariz. on Jan. 3, 1948.

She married Larry Everett Turgoose on July 3, 1972 in the Logan Utah LDS Temple, where they were united for time and all eternity.

She grew up in Fort Collins, Colo., graduated with her bachelor’s of science degree from Brigham Young University and taught the fourth through sixth grades in Craig, Fort Collins and Grand Junction. Colo.

She was blessed to stay home to raise her family for several years before returning to work at the University of Idaho Experimental Station in Aberdeen, Idaho for approximately eight years. She then taught the second and fourth grades in Richfield ID.

This past summer Phyllis left her teaching career and moved to Whidbey Island to enjoy her family and grandchildren. She felt this was a “new adventure” in her life. She and her husband were helping her son Brian and his wife Aspen build their new home just off Cultus Bay Road in Clinton. They were having so much fun building together.

Langley was her new favorite town to explore. She loved the little shops by the Sound. She loved the ferry and never got tired of riding across the water.

Phyllis loved to sew and quilt and was taking a quilting class with her sister Louise in Freeland. She was very creative and enjoyed making things for her children and her grandchildren.

She cherished the outdoors, camping and Dutch oven cooking — things she learned from her father and passed on to her children and grandchildren.

She enjoyed playing games with her grandchildren. They have special memories of her playing and reading stories to them. She had a passion for reading and has an extensive library of children’s books.

Phyllis touched many people’s lives and was loved by her family and all those who knew her. All will sorely miss her. Her father, Gerald Ellis Welker and one brother, George Allen Welker, preceded her in death. Viewing will be at the Visser Funeral Home in Langley, from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, and at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint’s Building, from 12:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the church followed by internment in the Langley Cemetery.