Donna Rae Gorecki was born on a Sunday morning July 22, 1962 to Norma & Norman Lutcher and passed away peacefully into the arms of our Lord Jesus on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Donna was born & raised in her favourite city, Yorkton, attending Simpson School, St. Joe's & graduating in the Class of 1980 from YRHS. Her formative years inspired her passion for teaching and she furthered her education with University of Saskatchewan, graduating with a Bachelor of Education in 1984. Donna began her teaching career at the Christian Academy (Orcadia, SK) and responded to many teaching assignments in the Yorkton School District, including Dr. Brass, Simpson School, Columbia School, St. Joe's, Composite Jr High, YRHS and the Rhein & Calder Schools. Whenever the call came, Donna was eager to teach and share her love of education. Donna met the love of her life, David Gorecki, in 1988 at the Pine Unit, YUH. David advised her at that time that she was his intended and that he was going to marry her. Donna, at that time, wished him luck.... David gently but persuasively pursed and they were joined in Holy Matrimony, August 22, 1992. Sunday, the day of her passing, marked their 24 year 5 month wedding anniversary. Each and every day of Donna and David's life together was blessed, they were soulmates and rarely without each other's company. Their love and commitment to each other is a testament to the sanctity of their union. Throughout Donna's life journey, she was an avid sports fan, intently following The Yorkton Terriers, The Yorkton Maulers, The Yorkton Cardinals, The Saskatchewan Roughriders, The U of S Huskies hockey and football teams, The Regina Rams, The Saskatoon Valkyries (women's football), The Toronto Blue Jays and most avidly, the Montreal Canadiens. As well, Donna followed all of the minor sports teams, joining with David at all games, enthusiastically cheering them to victory and often providing a precise sportscast and post-cap of each game. In her early years, Donna was a champion at baseball, hockey and trapshooting. She forged the way for many female athletes looking to excel at sports that were traditionally for men only. She began her early involvement as "Sam", Robert's little brother. Fortunately, she had a father that believed in equality and the first female hockey team, the Leopards was organized and played a couple of seasons at the Yorkton Kinsmen Arena. Donna later went on to the U of S Huskies hockey team until knee injuries benched her. Throughout her teen and young adult years she competed at the local, provincial and national levels for trapshooting, successfully winning the titles at every level. Community promotion guided Donna into the next chapter of her life, about ten years ago, when she took a career change into the hospitality industry. The years she had spent at the Day's Inn, meeting and introducing travelers to Yorkton, accommodating families and sports teams have been some of the happiest of her life. Donna found joy and contentment and had flourished in their family environment. Donna's faith was profound throughout her life. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church and renewed her faith through Grace Bible Baptist in her late twenties, leading to her current faith family at the Parkland Community Church. Donna rejoiced in the Word of God and compassionately shared bible messages of hope, faith and love. She practiced the living word. Donna will be remembered by her many nieces and nephews and great-niece and nephews who spent many, many occasions with her and David at all of their celebrations, life and sports events and their notoriously "surprise" visits which they would plan and giggle about for weeks before arrival. Donna treated everyone she met with love and acceptance, eagerly welcoming them into her family. A family she created of family, step-family, extended family, friends, friends of friends, fur-friends, teams and community. She leaves a legacy of: All Inclusive, Continual Growth, Consistent Love, Hope and Encouragement. Prayers were held on Thursday evening, January 26, 2017. The funeral service was held on Friday afternoon, January 27, 2017 all from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Yorkton. Rev. Brian Ray of the Parkland Community Church officiated, with Rev. Heike Toeller of St. Paul Church assisting. Tributes to Donna were given by John Anderson, Shawna Allan and David Gorecki. Elaine Lutcher and John Anderson read Scripture. Pianist, Jolene Cherland led members of the congregation in the hymns 'The Love of God', 'Saviour Like A Shepherd Lead Us', 'What A Day That Will Be', 'A Mighty Fortress Is Our God' (with trumpet accompaniment by Cindy Burham). Soloist, Ray Yost sang 'Precious Lord, Take My Hand'. The processional was 'In The Arms of An Angel', the recessional was 'On the Wings of A Snow White Dove'. The interment followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Carter & Oliver Hansen, Dean & Mervin Woroschuk, Dan Rose and Randy Gorecki serving as the casket bearers. Condolences can be left at . Memorials were to the Canadian Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Society, or to one's charity of choice.
