Communities rally around Turner family

POLSON – Shannon Turner’s kids used to walk from their Polson schools to the courthouse each afternoon to wait for their mom to get off work.

For the Turner family, the Lake County Courthouse was like a second home. Turner, who was found dead July 8 after an eight-day search, worked there for 15 years, but spent many hours at the courthouse during her childhood, as well.

Turner’s mother also worked within the courthouse’s safe steady structure when Shannon was growing up.

Turner’s boss and friend, County Tax Collector Patty Kugler, worked with all three generations; first with Turner’s mother and then for the last 15 years with Shannon.

“I’ve known her since childhood (for 27 years). I worked with her mom. She used to come in with her mom when she was a child,” Kugler said. “(Shannon’s children)…came here every day after school and waited for her (Turner) in the lunch room,” Kuglar said. “She was a wonderful employee. She was one of those people who could sit down at a desk and get so much done with accuracy.”

Turner was found dead July 8 in the back seat of her maroon 2006 Chevy Uplander just north of Big Fork after disappearing from her Pablo home June 30.

County officials said she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Turner just turned 40.

Now that Turner is gone, it is up to her friends and family in Polson, Pablo, Ronan and surrounding areas to stand in for the mother, co-worker and friend.

A group of family and friends opened a bank account to collect financial donations and organized a food collection drive.

“The family lost their mother,” said Lake County Election Clerk, Caroline G. Hanke. “The mom is usually the one who does the shopping and the cooking. So we are trying to provide the family pre-prepared items on hand that they can store and prepare easily when they need them.”

Kuglar said courthouse employees know Turner’s children well.

Her oldest child graduated from Polson High School and works part time at the courthouse and her younger child is a student in Polson School District.

Kuglar said Turner was a quiet, private person who had a colorful playful side.

Shortly after learning that Turner was missing June 30,Kuglar tried urgently to contact her friend, via phone, text and by calling other mutual friends. Kuglar learned from a co-worker about a Help Find Shannon Turner Facebook page and began watching it with many other nervous friends and family, hoping for a positive outcome.

Turner was found eight days after her disappearance when a citizen tipster contacted Lake County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Karen Sargeant.

“I called the dispatcher and they requested a Flathead County deputy who found the body,” Sargeant said. “She was found around 6 p.m. Tuesday north of Big Fork in the back of her own car. No foul play is suspected and the cause of death is pending because we are waiting on the results of the autopsy.”

Kuglar said the news of Turner’s death was shocking and grief counselors were on hand at the courthouse July 10.

“We all got a chance to sit and cry and talk. It was very good for us,” Kuglar said.

Turner’s friends and family are now most concerned about caring for Turner’s husband and children.

Kuglar said she would urge the family to turn to the compassionate and knowledgeable hands of grief professionals as well.

Hanke said the collection box for the food drive is located in the outer office of the Treasurer’s Office and the drive will continue until it comes to its natural end. Supporters will deliver food items to the family at regular intervals.

“People are welcome to bring things for how ever as long as they want to,” Hanke said.

Suggested items include: Pasta, pasta sauce, peanut butter, mac and cheese, ramen noodles, non-refrigerated juice, cookies, granola bars, microwave popcorn, packaged pasta or rice sides and fruit cups.

Turner and her family attend Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Polson.

Memorial services are yet to be announced.