Peter "Pete" Tursi

Peter “Pete” Tursi, 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Kavanagh House on Friday, August 18, 2023. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Road. Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street with a rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, the family invites you to join them virtually on St. Anthony’s website at www.stanthonydsm.org.

Born on May 27, 1931, in Des Moines, Iowa to Paul and Melina (Scorpiniti) Tursi, he was a first-generation American. Pete grew up on the Southside, graduating from Lincoln High School. Peter went on to attend the Iowa State University for a year, then returned to Des Moines and began working at F. Brody and Sons where he met the love of his life, Gertrude Hrabak. They married on July 4, 1951. From their union, they were blessed with five children, six grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

Pete spent his career as a clothing buyer and salesman, winning many sales awards. He retired at the age of 68, from Oshkosh. Enjoying being social and working, Pete continued to work at G&L Clothing until the age of 87.

Throughout his life, Peter was involved in his church and community. He was a member of St. Anthony’s Church, where he was awarded a Pillar of his church and served on the finance committee, foundation, and was a parish trustee. He was a member of the Society of Italian Americans, and the American Legion. He served as President of the South Des Moines Little League baseball program, spending many hours developing the senior league program. Pete was a diehard ISU fan and loved attending football and men’s basketball games. He was well known on the Southside for his Italian pepper gardens.

After retirement, Pete enjoyed spending time at his Minnesota Lake home with his wife, children, and grandchildren. You could find him on Lake Miltona in his happy place, fishing for bass. He was involved in his grandchildren’s lives, fully supporting and attending all their activities. Pete valued his family, providing guidance and a moral compass, teaching his children and grandchildren to value faith and family.

A loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, Pete is survived by his children, Madelyn Tursi, John Tursi, Lori (Bob) Grote, Jeannie Tison, and Patti (Tom) Riley; grandchildren, Erin, Kristin, and Tricia Riley, Alivia (Collin Motschke) Tison, Peter (Mary Freni) Tison, and Elle (Zach) Everett; and great-granddaughter, Matilda Motschke Tison.

Meeting Pete in heaven is his wife of 64 years, Gert; parents; sister, Mary Fuller; and cousins who were like brothers.

Memorial contributions may be made in Pete’s memory to St. Anthony’s Church Foundation, St. Anthony’s Church, or the Bellizzi-MacRae American Legion.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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