Donna Goranson-Kessler

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donna Goranson-Kessler, aged 63 years of Moose Jaw, SK on Monday, April 30th, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer.  Donna was born in Weyburn, SK on June 5th, 1954 to Oliveen and Donald Goranson.  She was predeceased by her mother; and brothers, Gary and Brian (Bonnie) Goranson.  Donna leaves to cherish her memory: her father, Donald; sons, Tyler (Sandy and her three children) and Dustin Johnston; husband, Al Kessler and his children Krista (Devin) BeBeau, John (Aynsely) Kessler, and Tara (Elton) Roscoe; eight grandchildren; and her niece, Krista and nephew, Marc Goranson.  Donna was raised on a farm southeast of Weyburn, SK near the village of Ralph and attended all of her schooling in Weyburn, graduating in 1972.  While in High School, Donna was a member of the Weyburn Eaglettes Cheerleading Squad.  Her greatest school achievement was being selected to go to the International Peace Garden Cheerleading camp in 1971.  All these years later, Donna still could remember her high school cheers and movements!  After High School, Donna took her LPN program in Saskatoon, SK as well as Regina, SK.  She spent many enjoyable years working for Dr. Amies and later took an Operating Room Technician course, as that became her primary nursing role.  Donna nursed at the Moose Jaw Union Hospital for 20 years, retiring in 2014.  Donna had many interests including a great love for gardening and flowers.  She spent many hours keeping her yard looking beautiful.  She was also an excellent seamstress and on occasion would sew clothing for herself and others, including outfits for family weddings.  Her passion for fashion and love of clothing and shopping started when she worked at a ladies clothing store in Kindersley, SK.  In later years, Donna developed a keen interest in golf and enjoyed golfing with her girlfriends in the Tuesday night ladies league, as well as golfing with her husband Al at various courses across the province.  Her favorite golf course was in Willow Bunch, SK.  Donna and Al developed a great love for travel and they went on many trips to warm places.  Her favorite winter destinations were Playa Del Carman, Mexico and Kaanapali Beach, Maui.  She liked to follow up her quiet time in Maui with a week of solid shopping in Honolulu.  Donna’s passion in life were her two boys.  There is nothing she wouldn’t do or miles she wouldn’t travel to spend time with them.  She enjoyed watching them train and compete in a variety of sports, and was so proud when they both became members of the Canadian National Speed Skating Team.  She was very proud of their accomplishments and attended as many of their competitions as possible.  Donna helped to support and organize many of the Moose Jaw Speed Skating Club competitions and even laced up her speed skates as a way to stay active.  One of her lifetime highlights was travelling to Victoria, BC in May 2017 with her boys on their final road trip.  Her mother Ollie took Donna on a similar road trip years before and she cherished those moments dearly.  Donna was a great daughter who loved and took care of her parents.  She was always there to help them on a regular basis and spent many hours at the family farm with her parents and brother.  She loved to power shop with her mother, right until her mom’s passing.  A Celebration of Donna’s Life will be held on Saturday, May 5th, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home with Reverend Linda Tomlinson-Seebach officiating.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Donna’s name may be made to the Allan Blair Cancer Centre c/o Pasqua Hospital, 4101 Dewdney Ave, Regina, SK S4T 7T1.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director 306-693-4550