On October, 25, Donna Ruth Parascand, passed away at age eighty-six at Highland Park Care Center in Alliance. Memorial services will be held at a later date.
She was born to Coleman Walter Nay and Ruth Helen (Tiedge) on January 4, 1936 in Grand Island, Ne. She was the oldest of five. Some of her fondest childhood memories were of being in Cairo, Nebraska on her Aunt Lizzie’s farm.
In 1952, the family moved from Grand Island to Alliance where Donna graduated from Alliance High School after only one year in attendance.
She spent most of her adult life in Alliance, making lifelong friends. She did many different jobs and positions in her life. She often was promoted into management positions, she was very proud of that. The proudest job she ever had was being a mother of four, Michael, Mitchell, Michelle and Melanie.
Donna was an adventurous soul, in her younger years she loved to travel. Her adventures included Hawaii, Bermuda, and Mexico. Donna would proudly tell anyone that she was on a game show, and won it. She traveled across the states back and forth both flying and driving. California, Montana, Colorado, Texas, Maryland, Florida to visit family, and New York to visit Tony’s family, whom she cared about very deeply.
Those who knew her best would say the love of her life was Harry Belafonte. She saw him as often as she could in concert, however Harry wasn’t the only person she saw in concert; she had eclectic taste of music and she shared passion of music and adventure of meeting famous people with many friends and family.
Harry wasn’t the only famous person she met. She would probably tell you that she met Michael J Fox, Robin Williams, Gregory Hines, James Arness, Leta Ford, Joey Belladonna, Kevin Costner and a guard to Michael Jackson’s estate.
Donna is survived by four children and spouses Mike (Kenley), Mitch (Nikki), Michelle (Gianni) and Melanie, 3 of her younger siblings, Nola Smith, Coleman Nay, Michael Nay, 10 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Rosalie Saterberg, two ex-husbands, two stepsons, and her son-in-law, Jarod.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Memory Support Unit at Highland Park Care Center.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.