Obituary of Lana Rae Manson
A beautiful, remarkable, and significantly loved soul has left us too soon. Lana Rae Manson passed away peacefully at Christopher Lake, Saskatchewan on August 5th, 2023, after a courageous and hard fought battle with melanoma cancer. She was surrounded by her family, and was the vision of bravery, strength, and heroism to the end.
Lana was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan on October 24, 1967, to Ray and Marie Baker. Her older sister Lisa was there to welcome her, and soon after they welcomed their younger brother Tyler. Lana grew up in Prince Albert, spending summers at Waskesiu working at her parent’s business Baker’s Waskesiu Bungalows. From day one Lana was so full of life. Always happy, making people laugh, and determined in everything she did. She was a fierce athlete and competitor, always active growing up – ball, downhill skiing, waterskiing, taekwondo to name a few. Out of all the sports Lana did, she found her calling as a setter in volleyball. She fell in love with the sport, and eventually went on to play college volleyball before moving home to attend University of Saskatchewan
Lana met the love of her life, David, in the summer of 1988. Two years of hockey and school flew by before they were married on June 23rd, 1990, and began their adventurous life together in the hockey world. They soon welcomed Josh in 1991, Meagan in 1993, and the twins Ben and Emma in 1999, completing the family Lana and David had always hoped for. Lana supported David for 17 years during his career in the NHL, moving the family to different cities throughout Canada and the States, meeting many new hockey friends, raising four busy children and planning family trips, before finally moving back home to Prince Albert to start the next chapter of their lives.
Lana was the ultimate sports mom to her four kids, never missing any of their games as much as she could help it. She could often be found in the stands at a hockey rink, soccer field, or gym with an iPad or computer keeping tabs on the other one or two kids who may have had a game at the same time. As all kids travelled for sports, she was always right there to support them, never complaining about the long or demanding schedules even when she was diagnosed. Josh, Meagan, Ben and Emma were the lights of Lana’s life, and she was always so proud of each of them in everything they did and the people they became. She was unconditionally devoted to David and the kids and instilled her most important values in them – love, family, and happiness.
When Lana wasn’t running around with her kids, she was busy running a local business, playing volleyball every Monday night, and enjoying card nights and casino trips with her friends. She was an avid golfer, card shark, and so stylish. From the moment Lana and David met, summers were spent at Christopher Lake. This was the place they built their forever home, and where their fondest family memories were made. They passed a lot of time out on the water boating, skiing, surfing, and swimming. When spending time with Lana she always made sure that fun was being had and made an effort to include everyone around her. She loved her ladies night golf rounds, dance parties on the boat, karaoke in the garage, fires on the beach, and daily visits with family and friends. Lana enjoyed when her home was full of family and friends, and loved planning for everyone to be together, often cooking a delicious meal and baking her famous chocolate cake. She loved Christmas, Halloween, and any holiday where she could showcase her knack for decorating. She always put her family above everything including herself, was so selfless and so loving. She had a beautiful smile, a contagious laugh, and was always able to ease those around her with her calming and soothing demeanor. She was and always will be a hero to her family.
In 2014, Lana was diagnosed with melanoma, which became metastatic in 2016. After a prognosis of three months to live, Lana did not lose hope and abided by her motto “live every day like your last.” After miraculously defying the odds during treatment with complete optimism and strength, she got to live out that motto for another amazing seven years. Her and David moved to California, and then to Edmonton, and she was able to support him on his coaching journey and celebrate 33 years of marriage. She traveled all over to visit her kids and her friends. She golfed as much as possible, from California, to Phoenix, to Waskesiu. She welcomed her two granddaughters, Gemma in 2020 and Pepper in 2022, cuddling them and spoiling them as often as she could. She was able to watch her kids grow and provide them with the love and support they needed in becoming the people she was so proud of.
In early 2023 her cancer came back, and though the disease progressed quickly Lana was able to spend her remaining time at her favourite place with those she loved around her. Her positivity, strength, and calming demeanor never faded, and her legacy will live on in all who loved her. Lana’s family is forever grateful to all those who provided them with kindness, love, and support.
Lana will forever be loved and remembered by her husband, David; her children, Josh (Julie), Meagan, Emma, and Ben; her granddaughters, Gemma and Pepper; her parents, Ray and Marie Baker; sister, Lisa (Derrick); brother, Tyler (Sheri); sister-in-law, Carol (Byron); brothers-in-law, Bob (Cheryl) and Calvin (Shirley); and her numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Lana was predeceased by her parents-in-law, Harold and Kay Manson.
“Her memory is our keepsake, with which we’ll never part. God has her in His keeping, we have her in our hearts.”
In lieu of tributes memorial donations may be directed to the Save Your Skin Foundation, saveyourskin.ca.
Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Marianne Turcotte, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.
