Carolyn Louise Fesler of Bartlesville, OK has gone home, leaving behind a circle of those who loved her.
The following words honor a life that mattered to many.
Family is the thread that runs through every story.
Carolyn Louise Turner passed peacefully into her heavenly home on May 4, 2026, at age 80. Carolyn was born to Carlos Luther Turner and Mildred Louise Garner Turner on May 12, 1945, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. When she was 9 months old, her family moved to Oklahoma City, OK where she spent her remaining childhood years. The oldest of three children, Carolyn grew into a strong-willed woman who was never afraid to take charge. Her leadership and organizational skills proved invaluable throughout her lifetime. Carolyn met the love of her life, William "Bill" Fesler, in 1964 while attending OBU in Shawnee, Oklahoma. She was a freshman and he was a senior RA whose job was to assist freshman students. Although becoming acquainted at that time, it would later be at OU following grad school where Bill would set his sights on Carolyn, who had transferred there her sophomore year. After an interesting turn of events, he learned that she was available, so he made his move and asked her out. A week after their first date, Bill asked Carolyn to marry him, and she said yes. They were married the following year on May 30, 1965, and were blessed with over 60 years of marriage.
Following Bill's graduation from medical school, one year of internship, three years in the Air Force, and two years of residency, Bill and Carolyn settled down in Bartlesville, OK where they raised their four children as well as nurtured and cared for numerous foster children in their home. Carolyn took great pride in running their household and spent many years as a homemaker for her family. She even designed the floor plan for their house and took a Tri County Tech course in cabinetry so that she could build a master bathroom cabinet for their home. Carolyn was known for her amazing cooking, creativity, organizational skills, and her witty sense of humor just like her daddy's. Her extremely detailed chore board, the delicious meals she prepped for family and farm hands, and the large holiday gatherings she hosted are wonderful memories cherished by her loved ones. Carolyn had the spiritual gift of hospitality, and she never missed an opportunity to share that with others.
Carolyn loved serving the Lord and did so in many ways. She taught Sunday School alongside her husband for over 20 years, mentored young mothers, led AWANA groups, helped coach UPWARD basketball, and served as a cook at Falls Creek many times. Her servant heart also led her to help with various mission trips to Mexico, Nicaragua, and Honduras beginning in 1985 through 2019 where she used her incredible organizational and leadership skills to ensure that no detail was overlooked and no task left undone. Bill and Carolyn also served with the Family Life Division of Campus Crusade for several years where Carolyn ran the bookstore for marriage conferences. After their children were older (and the youngest was a senior in high school), Carolyn attended nursing school with her oldest daughter and graduated from Tri County Tech's nursing program as an LPN in 1990. She then went on to work at Jane Phillips hospital on the night shift working in the labor and delivery department, which was her favorite.
Carolyn is preceded in death by her father, Carlos Luther Turner, mother, Mildred Louise Garner Turner, bother, Terry David Turner, and sister, Nancy Elaine Turner Spencer.
She is survived by her loving husband, William "Bill" Fesler, children, Susan Hill, Debbie Gersch & Ed, David Fesler, Jeff Fesler & Ashley, grandchildren, Bre Fesler & Nikki, Cheyenne Witt & Devon, Tye Hill, Bailey Fesler & Zein Fisher, Mackenzie Bartel & Caleb, Hailey Fesler, Denton Fesler, William Landon Fesler, and Hannah Gersch, nine great grandchildren, brother in law, Orville Fesler, and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Carolyn was a faithful servant of the Lord, and she will be dearly missed. We rejoice in the promise of eternal life and know that she is now at peace in the arms of her Savior.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to HOPE Clinic and sent to P.O. Box 4025 Bartlesville, OK 74006.
