From Denmark to the Desert

 On August 10, 2020, at the age of 101, my grandmother, Gussie Turnbough began the transition from this age unto the age to come.  As she journeys toward resurrection, I've reflected on her earthly journey from Denmark to the desert.  I'll share her obituary momentarily, but before that I'd like to explore her life through poetry.

From Denmark to the Desert  - Words: Shay Smith

From Denmark to the desert.

From the fertile fields of Fyn, to the frozen frontier of Manitoba.

A journey embarked upon, not so much to flee the past, but to embrace the hope and promise of the future.

From the Midwest of Canada to the Midwest of the Promised Land, five in a family found prosperity in the roaring twenties of Chicago town.

The third decade of the twentieth century, between two wars and before a depressed state of mind and times, the Jensens sought solace and did their part in building the windy city - from the ground up.

There's were the hands that built America.

In a time of crisis, as her country called - she answered.

He answered too and when war was over, the two became one.

What God brought together, none could separate.

From the windy city to the wind swept foothills of the Davis Mountains, they raised their crops and they raised their family.

In the middle of a dry land, theirs was an oasis - not merely a house, but a home.

Only miles from the San Solomon Springs, hospitality and generosity bubbled up and overflowed, spilling into nooks and crannies of hard, parched hearts - bringing healing.

Fifty-six years wed, one hundred and one years lived, maybe not all bliss, but all blessing.

From the fertile fields of Fyn, to sun-soaked soil, Augusta journeyed from Denmark to the desert.

Augusta "Gussie" Marie Jensen Turnbough, known to her grand and great-grandchildren as GiGi, was born on March 24, 1919 in the small village of Honnerup, Denmark to Anders and Martha Jensen.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard "Rip" Turnbough, her parents; her brother and sister-in-law Willie and Agnes Jensen; sister and brother-in-law Val and Harry Olsen; and by one grandson, Brett Winters.  Gussie is survived by her six children, Dennis Turnbough and Linda of San Antonio, Karen Smith and Dub of Lubbock, Cynthia Winters and Will Ed of Spicewood, Larry Turnbough and Melanie of Balmorhea, Debbie Vickers and Lonnie of Brady, Melanie Reed and Kenneth of Rocksprings, and a brother-in-law, David and wife Vi of Lubbock.  GiGi is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Gussie emigrated from Denmark to Canada in 1924.  Her family later moved to Chicago, Illinois where Gussie lived until the home front effort to support WWII took her to Lincoln, Nebraska.  Gussie was a supervisor for Western Electric, helping produce electronic equipment for the United States Military.  Gussie met a young B-17 pilot-in-training, Rip Turnbough, in Lincoln.  Following the war, the couple married in Lubbock, Texas on December 15, 1945.  They moved to Balmorhea where Rip farmed cotton for 55 years and, together, they raised six children.  

Gussie loved life and she loved her family.  Gussie enjoyed swimming and in 1959 became a Red Cross water safety instructor, teaching hundreds of children in Reeves County to swim at the Balmorhea State Park, San Solomon Springs.  Gussie was an accomplished artist, and she avidly enjoyed reading, knitting and crocheting, blessing countless family members, friends, and a few hospitals with the gifts of her innumerable labors of love.

GiGi was a follower of Jesus and was a member of the Balmorhea Church of Christ.  Her faith in a loving God and salvation through Jesus Christ was unyielding, up to the very moment her Father called her home.  

I was asked to share a few words about my grandmother at her funeral on August 14.  I'll share them in a blog post next week. - Shay