MARY JEAN TURAIN

Mary Jean Turain passed peacefully at home February 10, 2024. Mary was born to Marguerite (Loserth) and Fred Zurmuehlen, of Burlington, Iowa, on December 1, 1934. Mary earned a B.A. in education from Iowa State Teachers College (later renamed University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She taught grade school for two years in Cedar Rapids, and Burlington, Iowa.

Mary was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in December 1958, becoming an Air Transportation Officer. In 1959 she reported to Dover AFB, DE, where she was officer in charge of the electrical accounting machine and statistical services section of the aerial port. She met Lt. Robert Turain, from Marblehead, Massachusetts, and they married September 11, 1960.

Mary and Bob were stationed at RAF Alconbury, England, where they had their first two children. Mary was honorably discharged from the Air Force after serving three years. Bob’s Air Force career continued, and took them to Keesler AFB, Mississippi; Phoenix, Arizona; Hill AFB, Utah; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Perrysburg, and Ottawa, Canada, over the next 17 years. Upon Bob’s Air Force retirement, they returned to Perrysburg, in 1979 and have lived there since.

Mary owned and ran a very successful cake decorating, chocolate and catering business for more than 40 years and brought happiness to hundreds of repeat customers who often became friends. Her chocolate making was equally as successful as her cake and catering business. Instructing small classes was her passion, but on occasion she presented to a group as large as 450 international attendees. Upon retiring from her business in 2014 Mary donated more than 100 cake pan molds to Perrysburg Way Public Library, establishing “Baker’s Way,” where they can be checked out for use.

Mary was a deeply devoted member of the First Church, Christian Science (Maumee). She also was a member of the League of Women Voters, Perrysburg Boat Club and the Perrysburg Garden Club. She led coordination of the first Blue Star By-Way Marker in northwest Ohio, honoring military service members.

Mary was preceded in death by parents, Fred (1988) and Marguerite (1990), and brother, Don Zurmuehlen (2013).

She often said her greatest accomplishments were marrying her beloved husband of 63 years, Bob Turain, with whom she raised four “better than average” children— daughter, Kathy (Scott) Menser of Stafford, Virginia; son, Kevin (Eileen) of Liberty Township, Ohio; son, Kip (Maria) of Fort Collins, Colorado, and daughter, Karin (Mel) Mahler of Bradenton, Florida. She had nine amazing grandchildren, Chelsea Menser, Carly (Rob) Miller, Eric (Hayley) Menser, Madeline Turain,; Baxter Turain, Cayla (Gage) Turain, Cristian (Katherine) Turain, Zoe Mahler, Nash Mahler, and great-grandchildren, Mikey, Charlotte and Christian Miller. Mary desired to recognize and thank family, friends and strangers for many acts of love, kindness, care and attention extended to her.

A Celebration of Life service will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., at the W.W. Knight Preserve on Friday, April 12.

Memorial contributions may be made to Way Public Library, 101 East Indiana Avenue, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551, waylibrary.info, or a charity of your choice.

Condolences may be made online to the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com.