Kristen Kay Turner, born March 23rd, 1969 passed away at the age of 57 on Tuesday, August 25th, 2026 in the home of her previously departed and loving parents Bill & Donna Turner, in Grandview, WA.

Kristen graduated from Sunnyside High School and went on to attend Central Washington University. She left college to work as a nanny in Rhode Island before returning to the Northwest, where she spent several years nannying in the Seattle area. She later returned to college, first at Central Washington University and then at Heritage University, where she earned her Master’s in Teaching.

She began her teaching career in Roosevelt, WA teaching primary grades. A few years later, she joined the staff at Lincoln Elementary in Toppenish, where she taught for the past several years. She was a devoted teacher who brought her creativity, kindness, and many talents into everything she did.

Kristen was a woman of many gifts. She was an incredible cook who loved preparing many different cuisines and was an especially talented baker. She was known for creating intricately decorated gingerbread mansions, which were as imaginative as they were beautiful.

She was also a gifted seamstress. During her college years, she created costumes for several theater productions in which she was involved. Later, through her involvement in the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), she designed and made beautiful period dresses for herself, her friends and family. Her SCA friends adored her wit, humor, and boundless creativity.

Kristen loved traveling, music, history, literature, and theater, especially community theater. She enjoyed attending local productions, often with friends, and cherished the close friendships she formed throughout her life.

She was especially excited about becoming an aunt and delighted in loving and spending time with her nieces and nephews. She also adored her cats, her beloved “fur babies,” who brought her great comfort and companionship.

Kristen will be remembered for her creativity, humor, intelligence, generosity, and the many ways she shared her talents and her love with the people around her. She leaves behind a lasting legacy in the lives of her students, friends, and family, who will miss her deeply.

She is survived by her brother Ryan Turner (wife Angela) of Spokane, WA, her niece Kaytlyn Auckerman (husband Austin and 2 great nieces Paysley and Raylynn) of Spokane, WA, her Nephew Branden Turner (wife Jandica and great nephew Oliver) of Coweta, OK, as well as cousins, an aunt and uncle, and other extended family.

The news of her passing was sudden and the loss greatly felt. Kristen will be deeply missed and was loved by many. Her Memorial Service will be held at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Sunnyside, WA on Saturday Sept. 26th, 2026 at 11:00am and thereafter she will lay to rest alongside her parents at Outlook Cemetery. We welcome all who would like to join us in remembering Kristen, sharing heart-felt memories and celebrating the time we had with her together as friends and family.