Oriel Alette Goranson

Oriel Alette Goranson passed away peacefully with her family by her side on June 24, 2007 at the age of 88 years.

She was predeceased by her husband, Gunnar Goranson and son, Allan Kenneth, brothers Arnold (Elizabeth), Adeline (Harold) Betteridge, Elvin, Melford (Irene), Kenneth, Norman (Dora), and sister-in-law, Cypress Stevens.

Oriel is survived by her daughters Wendy and Betty (Rick) Nault, grandchildren, Christo-pher, Renˇe and Evan Nault, brother Maurice (Sunny) Torgunrud, sister-in-law, Marg Torgunrud, brother-in-law, Herbert Stevens and many nieces and nephews.

Oriel Alette Goranson (Nee Torgunrud) was born on Section 5, Twp. 3, Rge. 16, W2, west of Maxim, Saskatchewan. She was the third child of Oliver and Agnes Torgunrud. Oriel attended Apollo School until Grade 8. She then worked for several families until she joined the Canadian WomenÕs Army Corp in 1943 at the Regina Army Barracks. From Regina, she went to Vermillion, Alberta for six weeks of basic training. After basic training, she was sent to Red Deer, Alberta to take six weeks of driving training. She was then posted to Suffield, Alberta where she served with the motor transport as a dispatcher. After one year, she was transferred to Camp Borden in Ontario to the motor transport division. She remained at Camp Borden until her discharge in 1946 when the war ended.

After her discharge, Oriel returned to Midale where her parents lived. She worked at HatcherÕs Grocery Store and later at the Midale Co-Op Store. It was here that she met her husband, Gunnar Goranson. They were married September 26, 1947 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Midale, Saskatchewan. They had three children, Allan Kenneth, Wendy Ann and Betty Jean. Gunnar and Oriel farmed six miles north of Midale. On the farm Oriel loved gardening, growing flowers, and especially enjoyed hauling the grain at harvest time. She also raised chickens, turkeys and geese. Oriel was a very good cook and spent many hours baking bread, cookies and cakes and canned vegetables, fruit and chicken. In December 1975 when ill health forced Gunnar to retire from farming, they bought a house in Midale and settled into life in town and were active community members at many events. In the fall of 1993, Oriel moved to Weyburn to be close to Gunnar who was a resident at the Weyburn Special Care Home. Gunnar passed away on May 27, 1994. Oriel then divided her time living in Weyburn and Moose Jaw, until June of 2000 when she moved to Moose Jaw to live with Wendy to the present time.

Oriel remained very active and independent. She enjoyed doing the house work, cooking, doing crossword puzzles, knitting and crocheting, and watching Dr. Phil and the Blue Jays. Oriel enjoyed her grandchildren immensely and took great pride in every aspect of their life. She was a devout ŅfanÓ at all their sporting events and other activities they were involved in. Oriel belonged to several community organizations including the Co-Op Guild, Midale Homemaker Club and Evangelical Lutheran Church women and Christian WomenÕs Club in Moose Jaw. She also was an active member of a womenÕs Bible Study Group in Midale. She enjoyed her fellowship with the ŌSkinny MinnieÕsÕ Diet group at Lac Que Parle. Oriel was a kind, gentle, loving and compassionate person with a big heart.

Funeral services were held Friday, June 29, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. from Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Midale, Sask. with Pastor Donna Smalley officiating. Interment followed in Westphalia Cemetery, Midale, Sask. The pallbearers were: Shane Druck, Darrell Druck, Gary Hoium, Rory ffrench, Ryan ffrench and David Torgunrud.

For friends so wishing, donations may be made to Mainprize Manor, the Canadian Bible Society or to Pioneer Lodge, Moose Jaw, Sask. in her memory.

Arrangements were entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapels Ltd., Weyburn, Sask. (842-5432).