Dana Tanner

Dana (Lynn) Perry Tanner was born in Elgin, Illinois, to Mary Lynn Moss and Dr. Harold T. Perry Jr. She married her husband John Philip Tanner August 21, 1982. Dana is survived by husband John, brother Ty (Karen), children Luke (Katie) and Mary (Jason), and grandson John. She joined our Savior suddenly on September 17th, 2022 after enjoying a day in her garden.

Growing up in Elgin, Dana spent many hours creating games with her older brother Ty - which is where she developed her competitive nature. Dana was a natural athlete and enjoyed all sports, especially softball with her high school friends. Those friendships lasted throughout her life.

Dana was a graduate of Larkin High School class of 1975 in Elgin, IL. She attended Arizona State University for two years before transferring to Northwestern University where she earned her Dental Hygiene degree and met her husband, John. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration at the University of Oregon in 1981.

Dana’s parents instilled a love of family by making sure there was always time spent with cousins in North Dakota and Illinois. Dana made sure her own children experienced time with her family in Illinois and Oregon.

Dana and her family moved to Kansas City in 1990 and still reside in their first and only house. The Mohawk block became their local surrogate family. She was an active organizer of block parties, camping trips, holiday festivities, and any other group activities possible.

Dana was an avid gardener having both lavish flower and vegetable gardens. She was a lover of animals which were always close to her side, even until her last breath. She is dearly missed by dogs Gus and Snoop and her cats Brue Wayne and Nora. Dana was also a lover of people and made friends with whomever would stop to share a conversation with her.

Children were always drawn to Dana for her infectious joy, love and engaging personality.  This was evident from her days of babysitting the children next door through her own precious time of being a mother and recently a grandmother, or ‘Nan’ as she was fondly called. Children were always a priority in her life.

Dana was spirited, independent, and so much fun. As a young woman she faced daunting health issues that left her with continuing physical and mental challenges. Creative and resilient, she kept adventuring with friends and family without complaint.

Dana most enjoyed being outside whether that be her garden, swimming in any body of water she could find (colder the better), backpacking the Wonderland Trail, hiking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, or recently diving with whale sharks and hiking in Glacier National Park with her beloved husband John.

During the 40 years of marriage Dana shared with her husband John, they enjoyed traveling the world, camping, hiking, fishing, scuba diving, boating, but most of all the time they shared together.

Dana has always been a generous giver in all aspects of her life, including charities or causes she supported. In lieu of flowers, we ask donations be made to The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center or The Nature Conservancy in Dana’s name.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 24th, 2022, at Christ Community Church located at 400 W 67th St. Kansas City, MO 64113. Visitation is from 10AM-11AM and service from 11AM-12PM.