Debra Turpin

Debra Johnson Turpin Sassy, clever, spontaneous, witty, sarcastic…Debbie had a certain spunky way about her, and she liked to get you with it. She may have pulled a few pranks, told a few tall tales, and caused a bit of trouble in her day! She could tell a story with vivid detail and over-the-top exaggerations and swear everything was true. She liked to sing and dance around her house, host huge parties, take on insane projects, go on crazy adventures, and just have fun. She had a great sense of humor and loved talking and laughing with people. Debbie entered this world September 26th1951 to Larry and Anetta Johnson, the second of six children. She was born and raised in Orem, Utah and she eventually moved back into her childhood home in Orem where she lived with her daughter Lyndi and granddaughter Katie. Debbie was always proud of her roots. She cared about where she came from and who her family was. She loved to collect and display items that represented her family’s past. In her yard you’d find authentic pioneer wagon wheels and handcarts, old bicycles from childhood, geodes and petrified wooden stumps collected with grandparents. She had crocheted doilies on end tables and her own baby blessing dress framed and hung on the wall. Debbie was interested in and connected to her past. She was vintage. Debbie was married in 1969 and had seven beautiful children. As a young mother, she also courageously welcomed other children into her home. She was a champion and cheerleader for the underdog. She loved, fully supported, and took time for each one of them. Her connection to and love for family was strongest with her own children. She was fiercely defensive of her kids. She was feisty and stubborn. She taught them to work hard for what they wanted because life was not easy. She had their backs, and she was ready to take on the world for them. This same devotion carried onto her grandchildren. She traveled wherever she needed to go to attend ballgames, concerts, plays, or whatever they were doing to show her support and love. Family was the most important thing in life. She was so proud to be their Mom and their Oma. Debbie was very artistic. When she created something, all details were crafted very carefully. Her wedding cakes and gingerbread houses were masterpieces. Every tiny space was accounted for. She knew how to knit, sew, crochet, decorate, build, cook, and create! She absolutely loved decorating for holidays. Preparing for a holiday was no simple task. Her Christmas tree had to be the exact live Christmas tree, and it had to be big enough to fill up her entire living room. Lights were strung on the roofline and picture windows were painted with bright colors. Snowflakes, spiders, gnomes, elves, hearts, shamrocks, costumes, and music prevailed in her home. There was no doubting that when it came to holidays, birthdays, or parties of any sort that Debbie was all in! She was an ultimate hostess. She was also a very thoughtful gift giver. Many have been recipients of unique, personal, handcrafted gifts or special shopped-for souvenirs from Debbie. Debbie was a self-proclaimed anti-health nut. Pepsi, Twinkies, and Ding Dongs were her go-to foods. She wore silly scrubs, flip flops, and anything that was fun and comfy. She would spend her money on family and fun. She was silly and snarky and liked to be a wisecrack just to keep you on your toes! Although she enjoyed declaring her crazy antics and fun-spirited theories about life, deep down Debbie was very smart and dedicated. She went back to school later in life and became a Registered Nurse. She was proud of her education and her career. She worked as a nurse at Lakeview Hospital, Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, and Castleview Hospital as well as some short and long-term care facilities. She was giving. She volunteered with churches, schools, scouting, and communities. She shared her knowledge, her talents, and her wit and humor with family, friends, and all those around her. Debbie passed away at home, with family, and surrounded by love. She is survived by her children Shaurie (Lance) Wade, Shawna (Josh) Dunn, Jeff Turpin, Lyndi Turpin, and Doug (Anisa) Turpin; a load of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings Denise (Darryl) Pearce, Brent (Carolyn) Johnson, Wendy Anderson, and Kristy Baker; aunts Nita Brown and LaNiel Neilsen; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins all of whom she loved and adored. She is preceded in death by sons, Rick and Bryce Turpin; granddaughters, Sierra Wade and Ashley Turpin; grandparents; parents, Larry and Anetta Johnson; brother, Greg Johnson; brother-in-law Alan Anderson; and nephew, Alex Johnson. She will be celebrated on her birthday at her family home with pictures, displays, and sharing of shenanigans.

Debra Turpin

September 26, 1951 - September 18, 2025