Obituary for Denise Anne Moskal (Garnett)
Denise Anne (Garnett) Moskal was born to Clifford and Verna (Nielsen) Garnett on June 16, 1959, at the Wynyard Hospital at Wynyard, SK. She passed away peacefully at the Melfort Hospital on July 15, 2021, with her family by her side after losing her short and difficult battle with a Glioblastoma Multiforme brain tumour.
She was raised on the family farm southwest of Wynyard and enjoyed the usual childhood life on a farm but especially loved riding her pride and joy, banana bike. She was always very athletic and loved playing ball, kick-the-tin-can and running. Her love of running carried on throughout her entire life. She made a New Year’s resolution one year to run at least one mile every day for a whole year, which she accomplished, usually running at least four or five miles.
Denise attended school in Wynyard until Grade 11 when the family moved to a farm at Silver Park, SK near Melfort. She then attended the Melfort & Unit Comprehensive Collegiate (MUCC) and graduated in 1977.
She married Gerald (Jerry) Moskal on September 5, 1981, in Melfort where they continued to live and raise their three children; Melanie Dawn, Jeffrey Scott, and Michelle Lynn-Marie.
Denise was a natural-born caregiver. She helped look after her younger siblings. Being a stay-at-home Mom was particularly important to her so she worked at a Day Care where she could take Melanie with her every day. She ran her own day care for many years so she could stay home with Jeff and Michelle. Many of the children still call her Auntie Denise and became life-long friends with Melanie, Jeff, and Michelle.
Denise cared for her Grandma Nielsen for years. Visiting her every day after she moved from Wynyard to a senior home in Melfort. She helped her Dad with all his medical care after he became sick. Denise continued to help her Mom until she became ill herself. She also looked after many extended family members and friends.
She earned the nickname “Pepper” at a young age, being known for having a bit of a temper. She was also extremely witty and enjoyed a good joke, the cheesier the better.
Denise was always very artistic and creative. Her favourite hobbies included sewing, painting, woodworking and carving. All of which she loved sharing with her grandchildren. These interests led her to start two businesses: The Coffee Mill, a weekly paper, in 2000 and Pepper’s Signs and Designs, custom woodcrafts and signs, in 2018.
Denise is survived by her husband, Jerry Moskal; daughter, Melanie (Todd) Penner, Sara; son, Jeffrey (Sheila) Moskal, Zachary, Cash, Rylee; daughter, Michelle Moskal; mother, Verna Garnett; sisters and brother; Daphne (Larry) Wickstrom; Peter Garnett; Judy (Matt) Charney; Lori (David) Moskal; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; George (Ruth) Moskal; Ellen (John) McAulay; Don (Caron) Moskal; Stanley Moskal; Kathy Closter. As well as numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.
She was pre-deceased by her father, Clifford Garnett (2006); sister, Valerie Garnett (1966); grandparents Florina (2004) and Paul (1967) Nielsen; John (1969) and Annie (1931) Garnett; in-laws William (1998) and Elizabeth (1989) Moskal; sister-in-law Patricia Patterson (2019).
Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to the Melfort Public Library.
She was raised on the family farm southwest of Wynyard and enjoyed the usual childhood life on a farm but especially loved riding her pride and joy, banana bike. She was always very athletic and loved playing ball, kick-the-tin-can and running. Her love of running carried on throughout her entire life. She made a New Year’s resolution one year to run at least one mile every day for a whole year, which she accomplished, usually running at least four or five miles.
Denise attended school in Wynyard until Grade 11 when the family moved to a farm at Silver Park, SK near Melfort. She then attended the Melfort & Unit Comprehensive Collegiate (MUCC) and graduated in 1977.
She married Gerald (Jerry) Moskal on September 5, 1981, in Melfort where they continued to live and raise their three children; Melanie Dawn, Jeffrey Scott, and Michelle Lynn-Marie.
Denise was a natural-born caregiver. She helped look after her younger siblings. Being a stay-at-home Mom was particularly important to her so she worked at a Day Care where she could take Melanie with her every day. She ran her own day care for many years so she could stay home with Jeff and Michelle. Many of the children still call her Auntie Denise and became life-long friends with Melanie, Jeff, and Michelle.
Denise cared for her Grandma Nielsen for years. Visiting her every day after she moved from Wynyard to a senior home in Melfort. She helped her Dad with all his medical care after he became sick. Denise continued to help her Mom until she became ill herself. She also looked after many extended family members and friends.
She earned the nickname “Pepper” at a young age, being known for having a bit of a temper. She was also extremely witty and enjoyed a good joke, the cheesier the better.
Denise was always very artistic and creative. Her favourite hobbies included sewing, painting, woodworking and carving. All of which she loved sharing with her grandchildren. These interests led her to start two businesses: The Coffee Mill, a weekly paper, in 2000 and Pepper’s Signs and Designs, custom woodcrafts and signs, in 2018.
Denise is survived by her husband, Jerry Moskal; daughter, Melanie (Todd) Penner, Sara; son, Jeffrey (Sheila) Moskal, Zachary, Cash, Rylee; daughter, Michelle Moskal; mother, Verna Garnett; sisters and brother; Daphne (Larry) Wickstrom; Peter Garnett; Judy (Matt) Charney; Lori (David) Moskal; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; George (Ruth) Moskal; Ellen (John) McAulay; Don (Caron) Moskal; Stanley Moskal; Kathy Closter. As well as numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.
She was pre-deceased by her father, Clifford Garnett (2006); sister, Valerie Garnett (1966); grandparents Florina (2004) and Paul (1967) Nielsen; John (1969) and Annie (1931) Garnett; in-laws William (1998) and Elizabeth (1989) Moskal; sister-in-law Patricia Patterson (2019).
Friends so wishing may make memorial contributions to the Melfort Public Library.