Obituary
Alan LeRoy Goranson, 93, of Britt, Iowa, passed away peacefully in his home on March 10, 2023. Memorial services will be held at West Prairie Lutheran Church in Leland, Iowa, on Saturday, May 13th, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. led by Pastor Anthony Scalisi. Alan's ashes will be buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Thompson, Iowa.
Alan was born on February 24, 1930, in Thompson, Iowa, to parents James and Olive Goranson (Opdahl.) Growing up, he attended Burnap, a one room country school that now stands as a museum in Lake Mills and attended high school at Forest City while working on his family's farm. He graduated in 1948 and continued working on the farm until 1951. In '51, Alan joined the United States Navy during the Korean conflict. In 1955 he came back to Iowa and went back to work on the family farm. He married Iola Jensen in 1956. The couple later divorced in 1965. Alan eventually left the farm and moved to Lake Mills to go to work for Deluxe as a tool and die machinist. He later went to work for Winnebago for a short time before to returning to Cummins-Deluxe, where he'd work until his retirement.
Alan belonged to many clubs and organizations. He was a lifelong member of West Prairie Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Six Seasons Christian Motorcyclists Association. He also belonged to The Gideons International, worked with prison ministry, and was a member of his local VFW. He was also a proud member of the Lake Mills Area Historical Society, helping work to restore the Burnap School, as well as a 1901 Victorian era house.
Alan also had many hobbies. He loved motorcycles, especially his Goldwing. He enjoyed woodworking and tinkering and was very fond of building gadgets. He also liked to travel. He was a snowbird, migrating to Bibleville, Texas during the Iowa winters. He also looked forward to attending the Navy reunion of the USS Salisbury Sound A-13 every year and traveled to Isreal in 2006 with his son, Wayne and friends.
Those left to cherish Alan's memory are his children, daughters Stephanie Novak of Johnston, IA, Debra Goranson of Johnston, IA, and Wendy Jo Goranson of Leland, IA; sons Steven Goranson of Apple Valley, MN and Wayne(Brooke) Goranson of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren Felix Novak of LaCrosse, WI, Nicole(Joshua) Walther of Arvada, CO, Marillyn(Jon) Beard of Colorado Springs, CO, Adam Boley of San Antonio, TX, Jessie(Richard) Jackson of Ankeny, IA, and Eric(Rachel) Goranson of Urbandale, IA; great-grandchildren Haylie, Cassie, Toby, Gauge, Matthew, Naomi, Tabatha, Tobias, Poema, Mathias, Jamie, Drake, Kyle, and Keira; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Alan is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert Goranson, and his sister Phyllis Johnson.
Celebrate Life Iowa has been entrusted with the care of Alan and his family.
Alan was born on February 24, 1930, in Thompson, Iowa, to parents James and Olive Goranson (Opdahl.) Growing up, he attended Burnap, a one room country school that now stands as a museum in Lake Mills and attended high school at Forest City while working on his family's farm. He graduated in 1948 and continued working on the farm until 1951. In '51, Alan joined the United States Navy during the Korean conflict. In 1955 he came back to Iowa and went back to work on the family farm. He married Iola Jensen in 1956. The couple later divorced in 1965. Alan eventually left the farm and moved to Lake Mills to go to work for Deluxe as a tool and die machinist. He later went to work for Winnebago for a short time before to returning to Cummins-Deluxe, where he'd work until his retirement.
Alan belonged to many clubs and organizations. He was a lifelong member of West Prairie Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Six Seasons Christian Motorcyclists Association. He also belonged to The Gideons International, worked with prison ministry, and was a member of his local VFW. He was also a proud member of the Lake Mills Area Historical Society, helping work to restore the Burnap School, as well as a 1901 Victorian era house.
Alan also had many hobbies. He loved motorcycles, especially his Goldwing. He enjoyed woodworking and tinkering and was very fond of building gadgets. He also liked to travel. He was a snowbird, migrating to Bibleville, Texas during the Iowa winters. He also looked forward to attending the Navy reunion of the USS Salisbury Sound A-13 every year and traveled to Isreal in 2006 with his son, Wayne and friends.
Those left to cherish Alan's memory are his children, daughters Stephanie Novak of Johnston, IA, Debra Goranson of Johnston, IA, and Wendy Jo Goranson of Leland, IA; sons Steven Goranson of Apple Valley, MN and Wayne(Brooke) Goranson of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren Felix Novak of LaCrosse, WI, Nicole(Joshua) Walther of Arvada, CO, Marillyn(Jon) Beard of Colorado Springs, CO, Adam Boley of San Antonio, TX, Jessie(Richard) Jackson of Ankeny, IA, and Eric(Rachel) Goranson of Urbandale, IA; great-grandchildren Haylie, Cassie, Toby, Gauge, Matthew, Naomi, Tabatha, Tobias, Poema, Mathias, Jamie, Drake, Kyle, and Keira; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Alan is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert Goranson, and his sister Phyllis Johnson.
Celebrate Life Iowa has been entrusted with the care of Alan and his family.
