Raymond J. Kanger

Raymond J. Kanger, “Santa Ray” was born June 2, 1948 in Omaha, Nebraska to the late Joseph and Stella Kanger. He died January 1, 2017 at Midlands Living Center in Council Bluffs. He graduated high school and attended college for a couple of years.

He worked many years for the City of Omaha in the Parks Department and was a Union Steward for the City Labor Union. After retiring from the City, he worked at the Physicians Lab. He was elected as a civilian official on the City of Omaha Pension Board, served on the Board of Directors at the Woodland Campground, served several terms on the church council and on the resident council at the nursing home. He volunteered on the disaster team and the fire team with the Red Cross and was a big blood donor. At one time, he was active in the JayCee’s and ran for the School Board. He was a member of the Sons of the Legion, the American Legion Rainbow Post # 2 and also the South Omaha American Legion. Prior to his stroke seven year ago, he loved playing Santa for the previous 35 years.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Sandy (Christensen); his daughter, Michaela Rae (Steve) Lewis; grandson, Mason Layne Lewis; his sister, Theresa (Kevin) Farrell; his mother in law, Deloris Christensen; nieces, nephews and brother in law, Gary (Anne) Christensen.


Visitation is 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m. on Tuesday at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Funeral service is 10:00a.m. on Wednesday at Emanuel Lutheran Church – 2444 North Broadway in Council Bluffs. Interment is in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Emanuel Lutheran Church or the American Red Cross. In consideration of his many years of playing Santa Claus, the family requests Christmas Attire.