Donnalene Anne Saretzky

Donnalene was born August 22, 1948 in Edmonton, AB. She spent most of her childhood in Swift Current, SK and Lac Pelletier, SK. She moved to Saskatoon in 1967 to attend nursing school, where she met her husband Kenneth Saretzky. They married in 1968 and had three children, Katherine, Ken and Greg.

Donnalene put her career on hold to raise her family at home. In 1975 she and Ken built a new house on Begg Crescent where she spent her remaining years. This house was a home to the entire neighborhood, their gate was always open for an evening swim and their doors were always open for a drink or visit. Ken and Donnalene loved nothing more than hosting block parties, and friends and family in their home. They formed lifelong bonds with many of the neighbors; Begg Crescent wasn’t just where they lived; it was their community.

When her children were grown, Donnalene returned to school to pursue a career in mental health where she worked until her retirement in 2013. Following retirement, Donnalene and Ken spent many years traveling with their close friends – Willy and Barb. The past few years were spent escaping winters in Yuma, AZ and spending time with her family at her home on Begg Crescent and their cabins across Saskatchewan.

Donnalene was an extremely caring person who never forgot an anniversary or important date. Her family was most important to her. It is with great sadness that we have to say goodbye to our wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

Donnalene is survived by her husband of 55 years Kenneth Saretzky, her three children, Katherine (Trent) Thorarinson, Ken (Kendra) Saretzky, Greg (Jennifer) Saretzky, her sisters Sandra (Campbell) Graham, Sharon (Pat) Mcginnis, her brother Ken (Gail) Armstrong, her Grandchildren, Mitchell (Victoria) Thorarinson, Kelsey (Brodie) Thoreson, Austin Thorarinson, Kassandra Saretzky, Brea Saretzky, Erin Saretzky, Lauren Saretzky, Alec Saretzky, Samantha Saretzky, Jayme Saretzky, Jonathon Saretzky, great-grandchildren, Braxton Thoreson, Aubrey Saretzky, Harper Thoreson, Layla Thorarinson, her sister-in-law Lynn Aitken, her brothers-in-law Ron (Sorena) Saretzky, Jim (Kathy) Saretzky, her sister-in-law Carmel Saretzky. Donnalene was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and Thomas Aitken, her father Edward Armstrong, her brother Ross Aitken, her great-grandson Brady, and her great-granddaughter Brooke.

At Donnalene’s request there will be no formal funeral service, but the family has planned an informal come and go gathering on Saturday November 4th at the Mourning Glory – Acadia McKague’s Funeral Chapel at 915 Acadia Dr, Saskatoon, SK from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Please join the family as we remember and honor Donnalene.