Kent City Councilwoman Ranniger’s husband dies after long illness

Dr. Dan Ranniger, 89, the husband of Kent City Councilwoman Deborah Ranniger, died on Monday after a long illness.

Kent city officials cancelled a farewell reception planned on Tuesday at City Hall for Ranniger due to her husband’s death.

City officials plan to honor Ranniger for her 12 years of service on the council on Tuesday, Jan. 5 prior to that night’s 7 p.m. meeting. That evening also will include a welcome reception for newly elected Councilwoman Tina Budell, re-elected council members Dana Ralph, Bill Boyce and Les Thomas and elected Councilwoman Brenda Fincher, who currently serves in an appointed position.

Ranniger didn’t seek re-election this year. She served four, three-year terms.

Dan Ranniger, who served in the Navy in World War II, died on Pearl Harbor Day. That day in 1941 inspired Ranniger to enlist, according to his obituary posted on the Marlatt Funeral Home website.

As of Wednesday, services for Ranniger were pending. In lieu of flowers or cards, people are asked to consider a gift to the Kent Parks Foundation at kentparksfoundation.org.

Ranniger taught English in the Puyallup School District before he returned to school to earn his medical degree from the University of Washington. He practiced medicine for the next 50 years in Kent and delivered many children in South King County.

Ranniger and Deborah, his third wife, operated Ranniger’s Kent Nursery on the East Hill for eight years. The nursery sat alongside his medical practice that was in a home converted to a clinic.

Survivors include his children Sidnie Seaward, Dan Ranniger Jr., John William (Bill) Ranniger, Dannae Charlotte Armellini, and Jenna Amelia Harris; nine grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and his second wife Lenora Ballentyne.