Michael Turk

Michael D. Turk, 61, of Altoona, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly at his home on March 2, 2023.

Mike was born on August 3, 1961, in Ames, Iowa to Melvin and Evelyn (Andersen) Turk. He attended Millard High School in Omaha and graduated from Ankeny High School in 1980, where he was also homecoming king. Mike married the love of his life, Deb Ewing, in 1983 and soon after, completed his bachelor’s degree in construction engineering at Iowa State University. Upon graduation, Mike and Deb moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, the first of many stops throughout Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Iowa building bridges. Mike was a talented engineer who had earned the respect of many colleagues over his nearly 40-year career in the field.

Mike was a dedicated husband to his beloved wife, Deb, a devoted father to his two sons, Jonathan (Sara) and Samuel (Breanna), and a loving grandfather to his four grandsons: Theodore, William, Henry, and Winston. Nothing gave him more joy than spending time with his family who loved him dearly. Mike was a warm and generous man who put his family before all else.

Mike was also a dedicated, if not long-suffering, Iowa State Cyclones fan. He loved watching both of his sons and his nephew, Daniel, graduate from ISU. When he wasn’t cheering on the Cyclones, Mike enjoyed wood working, grilling and smoking meats for his friends and families, and genealogical research.

The memory of Mike will be forever cherished by his wife Deb; his children: Jonathan (Sara) Turk of St. Louis, MO and their twins William Mitchell and Henry Michael; and Samuel (Breanna) Turk of Ankeny, IA and their sons Theodore and Winston; his mother, Evelyn Turk of Waukee, IA, his father, Melvin Turk of Stewart, IA; and younger brother, Matt (Pam) Turk of Hillsboro, OR; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Mitch Turk; and grandparents, Manuel and Velmo Andersen and Arthur and Agnes Turk.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family in loving memory of Michael Turk. The family plans to gift his beloved grandsons with funds to help further their education.

A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Hamilton Altoona Funeral Home, 105 Fourth Street SE, Altoona. Family will greet friends from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. Family will have a time of sharing at 4:30 p.m. also at the funeral home.

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