Donald Moran

Donald Moran

August 09, 1934 - January 17, 2022

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Obituary

Cottage Grove - Donald Leslie Moran, age 87, of Cottage Grove, passed from this world on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Wis. Don was born on Aug. 9, 1934, in the Town of Bloom, Wis., the son of Donald Francis and Ada Nell (Sandmire) Moran.


Donald spent his early years in Gillingham and Richland Center, and in the Bay View area of Milwaukee, Wis. At 18, service in the U.S. Air Force took him to Germany, where he served four years with the 6910th Security Group. His days were spent as a Russian linguist - and his nights, coming of age with gusto.


Honorably discharged in 1956, he returned to Wisconsin and embarked on a long career in the burgeoning telecommunications field. His work took him from Wisconsin to Texas, to Missouri and, finally, in retirement, back to Wisconsin.


A professional salesman and consummate storyteller, he could tell a joke with masterful timing. Particularly fond of “shaggy dog” stories, his greatest delight was to elicit a groan from his audience. His appreciation for the skillful turn of a phrase - or a Scrabble tile - were well known to family and friends.


Don is survived by his beloved wife, Mary (Elliott); daughter, Jeanette Moran, son, Bryan (Rina) Moran; daughters, Suzanne Moran, Laurie (Kevin) Gehrig and Janet (Todd) McCormick; foster daughter, LizAnne (Kirk) Badeau; eight grandchildren, Matthew Newsom, Maureen Newsom, Greg Moran, Erica Moran, Nicole Moran, Molly Grace Hill, Sean Hill and Shelby Gehrig; and three great-grandchildren, Brayden Ferguson, Ian Ferguson and Alana Ferguson. Don also had very special, much-loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews who filled his heart and his life with love. Don’s humor and wit was so much a part of him, but his personal mantra was, “The best word in the English language is FAMILY.”


Don was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Colleen (Patrick) Muldowney and Kerin Peckham. Don lived a rich and full life. He was predeceased by many dear friends. The welcome party in Heaven is anticipated to be crowded, joyful and loud.


A celebration of life will be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, UW Foundation, U.S. Bank Lockbox 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420


Events

05
Memorial Service
Sat Mar 5, 2022 @ 1:00 PM CDT
Heartland Church of Sun Prairie • 800 Wilburn Rd., Sun Prairie, WI 53590
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Memories

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Gregory Bryan Moran
Other •
I dedicate this biography to my grandpa, Donald Leslie Moran, because he helped me make it and it is all about him. Not a single word in this life story is about anyone but my grandpa. He is like the king in chess, able to command every piece on the board, only taking one step at a time in life, able to go in any direction he wants. Because of this step-by-step process, he does not miss a thing in life’s challenges. He goes all the way to a checkmate, all the way in life. At the end, he is happy for accomplishing so many activities, so many objectives. He has passed over many obstacles in the way, and in time, gained wisdom and knowledge. He now knows what not to do, what is right to do, letting him go farther, finding new challenges, new hopes, and new dreams. When he finally finds that lucky square that let’s him have all the knowledge, all the wisdom, all the beautiful accessories you need for that amazing trip to everywhere there is to go. As he brings his army along, he checkmates king after king until that final checkmate that determines his fate. This is his life’s story.
DB
Diane Baal
Other •
I will miss Don's sense of humor!
RD
Rhonda Doudna
Other •
The best word I can find to describe Uncle Don is COOL ~ He had the gift of gab. From the moment I met the little stink I loved him. He could hold your attention with with every story he told and when he placed his arm around your shoulder you felt the love. His sisters loved him and cherished each visit he made. Family was very important to them all. My Don and I are proud that our son Elliot is following in his great Uncle's footsteps. He is in Germany going to college and is focusing on a degree in linguistics. Uncle Don you will be greatly missed but the stories of you will live on ~ ❤
LP
Larry Peckham
Other •
A staple of our family for many many years. Donald l Moran has been called by many names over his lifetime. Son, brother, brother-in-law, husband, father, dad, grandfather, grandpa, uncle, cousin, nephew, soldier, and co-worker. Each of these titles, he I’m sure would be the first to agree came with there own challenges. Sometimes easy, sometimes hard. I believe he tried to live up to all of these titles the best he could. If each of us are luck enough to have as many titles over our life as Donald Moran did and do as well as Donald did to live up to those titles I for one will feel great fully. He always made me and my family feel like our thoughts and feelings were important when he was around us. I will remember his strong hand shake, funny stories, love of family, enjoyment of golf and sports and even the occasional social drink of scotch. What ever each of us may of called Donald Moran, I was luck to call him uncle and we all were lucky to call him friend. I wish him a very peacefully walk in glory and am sure he has been welcome into heaven by many family members that await us all when it’s each of our turns. Until I see you again sir I love you, your nephew Larry.
DJ
Dawn Jarvis
Other •
Uncle Don was very special to me. My whole family and I loved him very much. We always enjoyed our times together. My boys remember how Uncle Don taught them to golf, to play chess, and to can pole fish. I remember coming and staying over night and playing scrabble with Uncle Don and Aunt Mary. We always enjoyed our time together when our whole family was together. I love you Uncle Don.
TA
Tammi Alexander
Other •
The volunteers, flight team and board of Badger Honor Flight mourn the loss of their hero, Donald Moran. We are thankful for his military service and so very sorry we were unable to take him on the trip to Washington, D.C. Our sincerest condolences.

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