Donna Lou Ganje

Donna Lou Geisler was one of four children born to Louis and Amelia of Aberdeen, South Dakota on April 29, 1926. Donna attended Aberdeen Central High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of South Dakota. There she met and eventually married Jack Ganje, in Aberdeen, on August 19, 1949.

She taught English for several years in Wyoming and at Aberdeen Central High School. Donna loved her family and giving back to the community. She was a volunteer for the Red Cross (25 year pin), a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and a volunteer for Aberdeen Nursing Home Manor Care for over 20

years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Aberdeen and taught Sunday School there for many years. She was a member of the Jaycettes, PEO, a Bridge Club member, and also a member of Promenade Dance.

Donna moved to Phoenix in 2013 to be near her children. She resided at Sunshine Village where all the staff truly loved her and called her family due to her loving and generous spirit. She also volunteered there while she was a resident.

Donna was predeceased by her parents, older brother, John, and sisters, Leone and Phyllis DeWeese and her husband, Jack, in 2006. She is the beloved mother of David (Rose Anne) Sun City, AZ, Diane Hayden Phoenix, AZ, Debra Roseth (Calvin) Watertown, SD, Doug, Denver, CO and Danny (Judy) Schenectady, NY. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Anne, Chris, Alyssa, Amanda, James, Ashley, Alexandra, John, Marissa, and Jaylen and by 11 great-grandchildren. The whole family owes much gratitude to the amazing staff of both Sunshine Village and the Hospice of the Valley. The care and compassion that they showed was above and beyond. Donna’s light and legacy will live on in all those that she loved and cared for. We will be honoring our mother at a memorial service to be held at a later date in Aberdeen, SD. Details are pending at this time.