Tonie (Turner) Wilder-Jenkins, 72, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines.

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Union Baptist Church in Des Moines. Her HomeGoing Celebration will immediately follow at 12:00 p.m., with Pastor Alex Hanna officiating. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.

Tonie was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 30, 1954, to Frank and Geraldine (Gunn) Turner Sr. Des Moines was home to Tonie in every sense of the word. She grew up surrounded by family, faith, and a community she loved dearly. As a young girl, she attended Union Baptist Church, beginning a lifelong relationship with a church that would remain an important part of her life and her family.

Tonie was a proud graduate of North High School, Class of 1972. After high school, she began her career in the Human Resources Department at the Federal Reserve. She built her career, raised her family, and created a lifetime of memories in the city she loved. Tonie never dreamed of living anywhere but Des Moines—it was where she was born, raised her children, and built a life surrounded by the people she loved. After she retired from the Federal Reserve, Tonie began her state-licensed in-home day care business for many years.

On August 17, 2024, Tonie married Clark Jenkins, beginning a new chapter of love and companionship.

Tonie was a lifelong member of Union Baptist Church, where her faith was a foundation of who she was. Her relationship with God and her church family were woven into the way she lived and cared for others. To Tonie, Union Baptist was more than a place of worship—it was part of her home, her history, and her family.

Above all else, Tonie was a family woman. Her family was her greatest joy, and she made sure they always knew how much they meant to her. She loved having everyone together and was happiest when her home was filled with the voices, laughter, stories, and love of her children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and extended family. She had a special gift for bringing people together and making every gathering feel meaningful.

Tonie poured that same love into her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, and brothers. She treasured the time she spent with them and took great pride in watching her family grow. Her love extended beyond those connected to her by blood. Will Dowing and Chris West were her adopted sons by love—a beautiful reflection of Tonie’s generous heart and her belief that family is defined not only by blood, but by the bonds we choose to create and nurture.

Tonie also cherished her friends and the Des Moines community. She loved getting out, visiting with people, and inevitably running into someone she knew. She had a gift for making lasting connections, and throughout her life, many friends became part of her extended family. Whether gathered around the family table, worshiping at Union Baptist, celebrating a special occasion, or simply enjoying time together, Tonie made people feel welcomed, loved, and cared for.

Tonie leaves behind a beautiful legacy of faith, family, friendship, and love for her beloved hometown of Des Moines. Her memory will live on through the many lives she touched and, most especially, through the family she cherished so deeply.

Those left to cherish her loving memory are her husband, Clark Jenkins; children, Jaden Wilder, Jabreea Wilder, and Jandon Wilder; grandchildren, Janteea Wilder, Andrew Harris, Amaya Wilder, Jahiem Wilder, and Aiden Boston; great-grandbabies, Aneah Harris, DeMari Bass, and Dakotaa Bass; siblings, Deborah Taylor, Trina Creighton, Tracy (Terrie) Turner, Johnnie (Erin) Houston Jr., Denise Bruce, and Margaret Hutchinson; a host of nieces and nephews; adopted sons by love, Will Dowing and Chris West; and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Turner Sr. and Geraldine L. (Gunn) Turner-Wiseman; siblings, Frankie, Gary, Lutonnia, and Terrance; nephews, Joseph Houston and Tad Turner; and niece, Anitra Houston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Union Baptist Church in Tonie’s memory.

Tonie’s life was rooted in the things she loved most: her faith, her family, her friends, and her beloved Des Moines. She leaves behind countless memories, a lifetime of love, and generations of family who will forever carry her spirit in their hearts. Though her earthly journey has come to an end, the love she gave so freely will continue through every generation she helped nurture.

Hendersons Funeral & Cremation Care has been entrusted with the care of Tonie and her family.