Memorial services for 85-year old Donna Moran are Friday, Oct 29, 2023 at 10:00 at Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home in Gordon, NE.
A memorial has been established for the Gordon Volunteer Rescue Squad or the Gordon Countryside Care nursing home. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 366, Gordon NE 69343
Online condolences may be left at chamberlainchapel.com
Donna Rae Moran was born on May 24th, 1938, in Hastings, NE to Edward D and Margaret L (Zobel) Wilken. She passed away peacefully on Oct 24, 2023 at Gordon Countryside Care.
Donna was a compassionate soul and dedicated nurse, who devoted her life to healing and caring for others, leaving an indelible mark on countless lives. Her journey in nursing began with a profound sense of empathy and a commitment to making a difference.
She attended and graduated from the Mary Lanning School of Nursing in Hastings, where she met Richard C Moran. Richard and Donna married on October 10th, 1959, and would eventually have four children: Michael Jon, Marcia Kay, Michelle Lea, and Melanie Ann.
After her graduation from nursing school, Donna was employed at the Hastings Regional Center (formerly known as Ingleside Hospital) and then as a clinic nurse in Emporia, KS.
In 1968, the family moved to Gordon where Donna took on odd jobs in the evenings, including washing uniforms for the meat-packing plant and cleaning up at the laundromat, to supplement the household income until she could finally return to the field of nursing at Gordon Memorial Hospital.
During her employment at GMH, Donna was a nurse in the post-anesthesia care unit, assisted setting up cardiac rehabilitation, and was instrumental in the initiation of home health and homemakers at GMH.
Donna’s nursing skills were matched only by her kindness, and her patients remember her not just for her expertise but for the warmth and compassion she brought to their care.
Donna was an energetic, fun-loving personality who enjoyed family, playing games and dancing to her favorite music – if it was a hit from her high school days, a jocular tune of Ray Stevens, or one of her grandchildren’s favorite tunes, she loved them all.
In her later years, Donna had this ability to win over all who cared for her and leave them with a lasting impression with her fun-loving remarks and goofy antics. She was a true joy to be around and will be greatly missed.
Donna was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband Richard, and her daughter and son-in-law Marcia and Elder.
She leaves behind her son Michael and wife Wendy of Omaha, NE, and daughters Michelle (Craig) Bruns of Whiteclay, NE; and Melanie (Ryan) Paul of Gordon; grandchildren Erin Moran of Omaha, Amy Moran of Omaha, Eric and wife Samantha Elder of Kearney, NE, Haley Elder of Midvale, UT, Michael Ireson of Scottsbluff, NE, Jacqueline and husband Matt Hockley of Rapid City, SD, Cassidy Bruns of Clovis, NM, Abigail Bruns of Whiteclay, Paige and husband Jace Stumpff of Gordon; and Ryder Paul of Gordon; and great-granddaughter Hazel Hockley of Rapid City.
Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home of Gordon is in charge of arrangements for Donna Moran
Donna was a dear friend at Hastings High School and during the next three years as MLMH nursing students. I treasure those “growing up”years. Yes, we both worked at the State Hospital as it was better pay. She was a hard worker and caring nurse. I shall hold her memory close and keep
you in my thoughts as you celebrate her life. God bless you all.