Sarah L. Tursi

Sarah Tursi was born in Brooklyn, New York to Joseph & Anna Fazio on June 1, 1929. She went home to be with her loving Lord on September 26, 2024. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where she lived all her life. Sarah was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, attended St. Anthony’s School, Lincoln High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in science at Drake University. Sarah would go on to work at Drake University and teach for the Des Moines Public Schools. In 1950, Sarah married her husband, Joe Tursi and together they had four beautiful children.

Sarah enjoyed her days as a teacher but developed her life-long passions as a homemaker. Sarah quickly became an excellent cook, and baker, who loved to host her family and friends. Home-cooked meals at Sarah & Joe’s lake home and at Christmas were one of the pillars upon which they brought their family together and grew its bonds. The joy of her life was her family, grandchildren, relatives and her friends.

While Sarah may have seemed reserved, she was in fact full of surprises. Throughout her life, Sarah’s measure was uncanny. She could quietly watch a situation unfold only to make a keen observation or ask an insightful question when it was needed most. When her husband, Joe, died in 2010 after sixty years of marriage, many in our family expressed concern over what might happen to Sarah’s wellbeing. Sarah surprised us by continuing to cook, bake and host family gatherings into her nineties. It was during this time that her family began to lovingly refer to Sarah as “The Queen”.

This would prove to be an apt nickname, not only because she was our family’s matriarch and full of wisdom, but also because of her bravery and strength. Twice, late in life, Sarah ended up in an assisted living facility, and twice she managed to rebuild her health and prove she was well enough to move back home. Sarah would live in her own home, reading, watching cooking shows and holding court with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren until the end.

Sarah is survived by her children Carmela Hobbins, Frank (Molly), Joe (Joan), and Bob (Amy) Tursi; her grandchildren Anna (Mike) Nolan, David (Alex) Tursi, R.J. (Hannah) Tursi, Jenna (Logan) Giudicessi, Tony (Natasha) Tursi, Regina (Tom) Geen, Teddy (Jessica) Hobbins, Kristina (Aaron) Anderson, Bridget (Nick) Ehrmann, Patrick (Jeannie) Hobbins, Katie (Chul) Lee, Brian (Kate) Hobbins, and Joe (Kamii) Tursi;; 22 great-grandchildren; and her sisters Emma Blesz and Ida Fagerland.

Sarah was preceded in death by her parents Joseph & Anna Fazio, her brother, Peter Fazio, her husband Joe Tursi, and her son-in-law Robert Hobbins.

Her family would like to extend a special thanks to the palliative care team at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Mary Cannon, the nurses and staff of Younkers 8th floor, Dr. Laura Tryon and her caregiver Chanda Johnson.

The family will be greeting friends on Sunday, October 6th at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm with the Rosary prayed at 3:30 pm. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 7th at 10:00 am at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Rd. Sarah will be laid to rest at Glendale Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Anthony Foundation in loving memory of Sarah.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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