Donna Marie Turk of St. Joseph, Missouri passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at a local health care facility from Alzheimer’s. She was born August 17, 1948 in Bristol, CT, to Joseph and Agnes Tinella. The oldest of three children, Donna stepped naturally into the role of protector and caretaker early in life, becoming a steady, loving sister to Peter and Cindy. That instinct - to look out for others and to lead with responsibility and love - shaped every chapter that followed.
In 1966, Donna joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Amarillo AFB, where she met the love of her life and her best friend, Duane Turk. They married soon after and would celebrate 59 years of marriage next month. They raised two daughters, Michele and Jennifer, and spent 26 years as an Air Force family, with Duane serving active-duty and Donna balancing life as a mom and a civilian employee of the federal government.
Following Duane’s retirement from the Air Force in 1991, they moved to St. Joseph to own and operate the local Little Caesars franchise - becoming a friendly presence in the community they call home.
Above all else, Donna was an extraordinary wife, mother, mother-in-law and Nana. She adored her grandsons, Max and Jude, a role that was unquestionably her favorite. She always knew exactly what they needed and the bond she shared with them was special. Their memories of trips to Walmart and McDonald’s, pillow forts and games of hide-and-seek in Nana’s big house are treasures that will last a lifetime.
Donna was a devoted Catholic who lived her faith through service. She spent time visiting shut-ins, making desserts for the food kitchen and participating regularly in Mass. She also had a love of music and was a proud 30-year member of Sweet Adelines International. Duane and Donna were also world travels, visiting such far away destinations as Russia, Argentina , Serbia, South Africa and Israel, plus many more.
Donna led with love, but she was never one to back down from a challenge. She was smart, tenacious and tough as nails, with a strength that made her a natural leader. She is survived by her husband Duane, daughter and son-in-law Michele and Ross Thomason and their son Max as well as her daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Jay Martin and their son, Jude. She is also survived by her brother Peter Tinella (Betty) and sister Cindy Cicchetti (Alan).
Her legacy lives on in the family she raised and the many lives she touched simply by being herself. In lieu of flowers, consider honoring her by choosing kindness: be gentle with a stranger, offer a sincere compliment, tell someone they matter or donate to a cause close to your heart. Above all, live your life with generosity and love - just as Donna did.
Mass of Christian Burial 10:30am Monday, January 26th at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in St. Joseph under the care of Price Funeral Home in Maryville, Missouri. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Private Burial will be held at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas.
