During their Friday night doubleheaders versus Norwalk, Pella High School’s summer teams paused to honor a classmate who died a lifetime fight with illness this week.
In remembrance of Stella Turnbull, who passed away at the age of 18 on Thursday due to difficulties resulting from Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Pella’s varsity softball and baseball teams observed a moment of silence in between games and donned pink and purple.
Susan Lyons, a science teacher and family friend, says Turnbull overcame that hardship to not only complete high school but also to instruct others on how to make the most of their capabilities. Prior to the game two broadcast, Lyons, the color commentator for the Pella Softball games on 92.1 KRLS and Pella Dutch Live, made the following remarks (audio below):The file Susan-comments.mp3 can be found at https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/1072/2025/06/21073457
To commemorate her life and her influence on the athletes competing on Friday as well as the larger Pella Community, moments of silence were observed in between games (both audio versions below):Softball-moment.mp3 can be found at https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/1072/2025/06/21073607.
Find out more about Turnbull funeral services here.Wearing pink and purple is suggested for friends and family who attend those activities.
During the 2021 season, Stella’s cheering adventure was featured by KNIA/KRLS.Click here to listen.
