Gwendolyn Sarton

Gwendolyn (Gwen) LaVonne (Turpin) Sarton, a beautiful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother went home to be with her Lord and Savior on December 3, 2024 in Nampa, Idaho.

Gwen was born March 1, 1934, at 2 am in Rocky Ford, Colorado, to Thelma Armenta (Rarden) Turpin and William Turpin. Gwen was the middle child of three daughters. Her family spent most of her formative years between Rocky Ford and La Junta, Colorado. In high school she enjoyed being a cheerleader and baton twirler in the marching band and, according to her younger sister, Susie, being named queen or princess to some court or other (which was news to Gwen’s children as she’d never really mentioned it). She was also a very good academic student. While a freshman, she met senior Daniel Sarton, who became the love of her life. When it came time to propose, Dan was in Japan serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, so he sent the engagement ring by postal mail to his father who then proposed on his behalf during a family dinner. Gwen was able to call Dan and say “yes” all in less than three minutes as it was too expensive to talk long distance, especially internationally. The two were married August 15, 1954, just two weeks after Dan had returned from overseas. 

Gwen and Dan quickly began their family life with their first child, Deneil LaVonne, then Craig Thomas, finally Gayle Lynn.

Gwen and Dan ultimately settled in Pasco, Washington, living there for nearly 40 years. To say Gwen kept a meticulous home is an understatement, but most importantly she and Dan created a loving, warm, safe, and happy home – always with Christ in the center of it. And while cooking and baking weren’t exactly Gwen’s passions, her meatloaf and beef stroganoff were legendary, as were her peanut brittle, fudge, and meltaways at Christmas.

Time spent with family was most precious to Gwen. She and Dan loved taking their children camping all throughout the Western states. Boating on the Columbia and Snake Rivers to escape the hot summers in the Tri-Cities were also a favorite activity (well, maybe boating was more Dan’s idea of a fun activity, but Gwen, even though she was afraid of water, was eager to help create another family past time and even learned to drive the boat well so Dan could waterski as much as the kids). The Oregon & Washington Coasts were particularly special places to them. When retirement came, it was a hard sell but their children successfully talked them out of moving to one of their beloved coastlines (using the grandkids as bargaining chips) and instead move further inland to where they were located in the Boise area. Gwen always said she was grateful they’d made this choice.

After Dan’s passing in 2007, Gwen remained close to her children, living next door to Gayle’s family for several years and staying deeply involved in her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives.

Gwen is survived by her children: Deneil (Terry) Bower, Craig (Sheri) Sarton, and Gayle (Robert) O’Donahue; grandchildren Brianne (Tyler), Chase, Kaelin (Zach), Daniel (Kelsea), Matea, Leslie (Ben), and Robyn; and great-grandchildren Ryker, Titus, Jamin, Serayah, Barron, Roman, Evie, Peyton, Hudson, and Florence Gwen. She is also survived by her sister, Susie Holler. Gwen was preceded in death by her husband, Dan; her sister, Norma Cutrell; her parents; and many beloved family and friends.

Gwen’s memorial service will be held Dec. 19, at 10:30 am (viewing from 9:30-10:15 am) at Alden Waggoner Funeral Chapel in Boise, Idaho, with the committal service at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at 1 pm.

While Gwen’s passing was unexpected and the profound sadness it’s brought on her family is overwhelming, they rejoice in knowing that death does not get the last word and that Gwen’s love for God and her belief in his son, Jesus Christ, as her personal Savior makes possible a beautiful reunion for all of them one day in heaven. 

“When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory!”