Klea Verona Turner Ernst (92) passed away on June 14, 2012 at her home in Lehi, UT. She was born Jan. 16, 1920 to Charles Alfred and Mary Abigail Zimmerman Turner.

She married John C. Ernst on Dec. 31, 1937 in Salt Lake City, UT. They were married for 59 years before John passed away on Aug. 2, 1996. Their union was blessed with three children; Donald Jack, Mary Deanne and KayeLynn.

Klea was active in the LDS Church and was unusually civic minded always participating in community and stake activities. She served in many church callings and especially loved working with the youth. She served 9 years as a missionary in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. She also served as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple. She belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, several ladies clubs, including the Lehi Riding Club. She taught 4-H and was a Girl's State Counselor for several years.

Klea had an amazing work record, though she was primarily a homemaker. For a few years, while her children were in school, she worked as a doctors assistant for Dr. Elmo Eddington in his Lehi office at the Lehi Hospital. Incredibly, when she was 50 years old, her time working outside her home really began. It was as if she had three careers from then on, besides homemaking. One with LeVoy's Clothing in the sales office, another with Ballet West as a wardrobe seamstress. She thoroughly enjoyed both of these jobs. Then, before she retired to serve her LDS mission, she spent several years as site manager for the West Jordan Senior Center. This third job was such fun for Klea and she met many wonderful people who became long-time treasured friends. To her, one of the advantages to each of these "careers" was they gave her the opportunity to travel. Klea always loved to be on the go!

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John, her only son, Don/Jack; two granddaughters, Heidi and Kim Ernst, and a great-grandson, Rustin Kirkham. Also passed before were her parents, Charles and Mary and 16 siblings.

Klea is survived by one sister, Wanda "Bonnie" West, her daughters, Mary "Deannne" (Kurt) Peterson and KayeLynn (Danny) Kirkham. There are 11 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren to carry on her legacy.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 11:00 AM in the Lehi Utah Stake Center, 200 N. Center Street, with a viewing an hour before the service (10:00 AM) and on Tuesday from 7-9:00 PM at Wing Mortuary, 118 E. Main, Lehi. Interment, Lehi City Cemetery. Online memories and condolences may be shared at wingmortuary.com