Ginger Kana
October 8, 1941 - April 16, 2025
“I love you to the moon and back.” - Mom
Ginger Ellen Kana, a radiant light and steadfast heart in the lives of so many, passed away peacefully in April 2025, surrounded by the family she so deeply loved. Her journey was one of compassion, strength, and purpose-woven together with laughter, handwritten notes, and a fierce love that never wavered. But above all, it was also a love story-one shared over six decades with her husband, best friend, and greatest companion, John. Their love was the quiet kind that others admired: strong in stillness, deep in devotion, and ever-present in the way they chose each other, every single day
Her love story began on a blind date in Ponca City, Oklahoma, in October 1962. That night, she met the man who would become her partner in everything, John Richard Kana Jr. By December, they were engaged. By June 1, 1963, they were married. From that moment on, Ginger and John built a life together marked by resilience, humor, and absolute devotion. They were not simply husband and wife, they were best friends, teammates, and steady companions. Wherever they went-New Orleans, Houston, Denver, New York, or back home to Oklahoma-their love moved with them, never flashy, but always rock solid.
They were the kind of couple who held hands in church, whispered jokes during long drives, and knew how to be quiet together without ever feeling alone. Their marriage was stitched together with the small, sacred things: shared coffee in the morning, a kiss at the kitchen sink, and loyalty that never wavered through all life’s seasons. Ginger supported John not only through every move and promotion but in all the ways that mattered most, reminding him who he was and who they were, together.
Her greatest act of love was the family they built. Ginger and John adopted seven children from South Korea, a bold and beautiful testament to the kind of love that knows no borders, no color, and no fear of judgment. Though some disapproved, Ginger stood unwavering in her faith and conviction. To her, family wasn’t about biology. It was about choosing to love fully every day. And she did.
She raised her children to give rather than take, to forgive rather than hold, and to live their lives with open hands and soft hearts. Her home was filled with lessons that were never forced, but always modeled: quiet grace, fierce loyalty, and a faith that moved with her in everything she did.
She wrote letters constantly-snail mail filled with scripture, encouragement, or a simple “just thinking of you.” Her mailbox was her ministry, and her pen, an extension of her heart. Even her friends received these handwritten gifts, often kept for years as reminders of her presence and care.
Her faith wasn’t performative, it was lived. Ginger volunteered regularly at the Ponca City hospital and her local church, always looking for ways to serve without needing recognition. She believed in the everyday gospel: showing up, lending a hand, and keeping the coffee warm for someone who might need a little comfort.
And she lived with intention, not just in spirit, but in body. Even into her 80s, Ginger stayed active. She could be found taking daily walks near the Marland Mansion with her white little sunhat, soaking up the quiet beauty of the grounds she loved. Most mornings, she was at the YMCA or RecPlex, getting in her workout and showing us all that strength and grace only deepen with age. She moved through her days with purpose, independence, and joy-an example of what it means to keep showing up for life.
And while her actions spoke loudly, she still found joy in the little things especially Elvis Presley’s gospel music, which could often be heard every day as she drove around town. There was something in those songs-soulful, steady, and sacred-that mirrored who she was: a woman rooted in faith, who cherished beauty and never lost her sense of wonder.
She had her quirks, ones we all came to treasure. Ginger kept everything from old containers to pennies she found outside. She had a passion for fashion-shoes, jackets, and purses-and her favorite colors were pink and purple. She even had her kitchen remodeled in soft pink tones, a daily reflection of her gentle joy. And of course, she kept her humor: “Your dad sure likes to nap and then wonders why he missed his TV show,” she’d say with a smile and her distinct giggle we all loved.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, John, and by her children: Lesley Kana and her daughter Olivia Kana-Kulp of San Francisco, CA, Peter Kana of Ponca City, OK, Dr. Kyndol Ray of Tulsa, OK, and her daughters, Waverly Ray (with Roger Ray) and Juniper Foust (with David Foust), Christopher Kana and his wife Ashley Swann of Oklahoma City, OK, Angela Kana-Veydovec and her husband, William Veydovec of Denver, CO, andTimothy Kana and his wife, Bailey Kana, and their four children, and a baby on the way who will proudly carry Ginger’s middle name, Ellen
Ginger was preceded in death by: her son, Andrew Kana; Angela’s twin; his daughter, Abagail Kana, remains lovingly in the care of Angela and William, held close as part of the home Ginger helped shape.
Alongside her family, Ginger was held up for decades by the love and laughter of her closest friends, who stood by her through every high and low of life with John and her joyful whirlwind of kids. Her dear friends Joe Chambers and Marjilea Smithheisler were always there with encouragement, humor, and grace lifting her up, reminding her who she was, and loving her through it all. Their friendship was a blessing that spanned years, miles, and every kind of moment in between.
To the very end, Ginger’s faith remained the foundation of her life. She believed in a loving God and eternal peace, and in her final days, that peace surrounded her.
Reflections from her daughters:
"My mother was many things in her life. It is the mother role that I find the most remarkable about this woman. It's not lost on me is how hard it is to be a good mother. The most thankless, exhausting, time consuming, never ending, challenging job there is. The endless laundry, dishes, meals, pick-ups and drop-offs, fevers, tears and tantrums are hardly much to write home about. But, from her life's work and sacrifice came the beautiful lives of her children and grandchildren. She leaves behind an incredible legacy of people that she raised and loved. We will never forget her."
"She taught me to find joy in the little things and strength in the hardest moments."
"If I had to do it all over again-every hard day, every sleepless night, every quiet moment holding her hand-I would. A thousand times over, I would care for her, just to give back a fraction of the love she gave so freely. But even if I lived a thousand lifetimes, I could never match the strength of her love, the way she made all of us feel seen, safe, and unconditionally cherished.
She showed her love in the quietest, most tender ways stitching blankets in my favorite color, sitting beside me in church so I could find the courage to play the piano, holding my hand in the hospital just like I later held hers. She taught me to stand on my own two feet, to never wait for someone else to offer me strength, because she believed I already had it within me.
Even when we failed, even when we disappointed her, she never raised her voice-only her love. And even when distance separated us, her letters and cards found their way to me, always signed with warmth that crossed every mile.
I will spend the rest of my life carrying her love forward, and though I would give anything for one more day, I know her love is still here. It always will be."
As scripture reminds us: “Let all that you do be done in love.” - 1 Corinthians 16:14, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27
We are deeply grateful to the staff at CompleteOK in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for their care, kindness, and presence during Ginger’s final weeks. You helped bring comfort and dignity to her journey home.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date, with a private gathering for close friends and family.
Ginger Ellen Kana showed us how to love deeply, give freely, forgive generously, and walk humbly. She and John didn’t just build a family, they built a life that honored love at every stage. Their marriage was a daily testament to what friendship, patience, and enduring commitment can create when two people walk through life hand in hand. Her story, and their story, will continue to live in each of us in the letters we keep, the songs we hum, the way we show up for others, and the quiet, faithful ways we love the people around us.
Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK, 74601.
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