Donald Steven Turner

Donald Steven Turner, age 65, of Afton, MN, passed away unexpectedly on May 31, 2023 as a result of cardiac arrest.

Don was born and grew up in Austin, MN.  He has many life-long friends from his youth and beyond.  After high school, Don attended Mankato Technical College where he studied computer science. When he graduated, Don moved to the Twin Cities to begin his IT career.  Soon after, Don met his wife, life partner, and best friend, Patty, on January 14, 1978.  Don and Patty were married on September 1, 1979 and bought their first home in Maple Grove.  In 1985 they moved to Afton, and have lived happily in the same home since then.

Don was always larger than life.  He got to know people easily and made everyone feel comfortable, special, and loved.  Don made friends everywhere he went and has so many wonderful friends who love him right back.

Don's understanding of people and technology made him a great IT leader.  His teams and customers respected and trusted him.

Don was always up for any adventure, like skydiving, hot air ballooning, and parasailing with friends. He enjoyed motorcycling, bowling, volleyball, and boating. He loved hosting and having parties. For years Patty and Don hosted an annual “Everyone We Know Party” each summer. Don loved food, both cooking it and eating out. He enjoyed wine, learning about wine, and the people he met through wine. Don’t forget pull tabs! Don was a perpetual winner! He loved travel adventures, too, including a whirlwind trip through Europe, trips to Jamaica, Mexico, and all over the United States.

Don was a loving uncle to his many nieces and nephews and many weekends were enjoyed at their house and pool.

Don loved to dance and was always the first person on the dance floor. If a lady didn't have a dance partner he was sure to invite her to dance.  He taught many total strangers his dance moves.  He always made sure everyone felt included. Don wasn’t only the life of the party, he WAS the party!

He filled the room all by himself.  Don’s laugh was infectious. The world will be an emptier place without him.

Preceded in death by parents, Donald and Beverly; mother-in-law, Mary Van Ampting; brother-in-law, Rick Dettling; grandniece, Lydia; and grandnephew, Soren.

Survived by devoted wife of 43 years, Patty; sister, Deb Christofferson; father-in-law, Al Van Ampting (Mary Guillette); sisters and brothers in-law, Terri (Todd) Tufte, Becky Roche, Alan Van Ampting (Michele Olwell), and Pam (Keith) Weber; nephews, Jesse Christofferson, Cody Christofferson (Morgan Kyllo), Dan (Andrea) Van Ampting, Trent (Katie Carson Tufte) Tufte, Ryan Weber, Neil (Becky) Weber, and Trevor Tufte; nieces, Beth (Matt) Kunkel, Erin (Andy) Villella, Traci Tufte (Allan White), Randi Dettling, and Rachel (Alan) Newsome; and grandnieces and grandnephews, Brayden, Addy, Killian, Opal, Lucille, Vera, Aomori, Madeline, Warren, Alistair, Ayla, Julia, and Samuel; and countless wonderful friends.

Visitation 4-7 PM, Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016. Funeral Service 11 AM with visitation continuing at 10 AM, Wednesday, June 7, 2023 all at the funeral home. Interment to follow at Cottage Grove Cemetery, Cottage Grove, MN. 

For those who would like to participate in Don's service via livestream, you can watch the service on Wednesday, June 7 2023 at 11:00 am.  It can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of this page, and "CLICK PLAY" to begin.  Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall to let the family know you were able to watch the service.  If you are having troubles with the Livestream, please accept our apologies, but the service will be available to watch later in the day.