Michael Scott Sanger

He is preceeded in death by his parents, Francee & LaVern Sanger, and a brother, Gregory Sanger. Survivors are his sister, Teri (Tim) DeHart, Nieces Aimee Ruther (Jack Gritten) and Cherissa (Tom) Hanson), Great Nieces & Nephews Shelby Gritten (Zachary Wenzel), Macklin Ruther, Braden Ruther, Gauge Hanson & Remington Hanson.

While he was born with cerebral palsy and was legally blind, that did not stop Michael from having a wonderfully active life! He enjoyed school, graduating from Kansas City School for the Blind. He and his parents went on the Biking Across Kansas tour one year, with his parents taking turns on a tandem bicycle. It was certainly fun… but they only did it ONCE!

Michael loved to bowl and did so for many years with the Big Wheels league. In Texas, he had just begun bowling again with a group of his peers at Alleycats.

Another favorite for Mike was going to Tablerock lake each year with about 40 of his closest relatives. He has been doing this for many years. He thinks he is an expert boat driver because his brother in law, Tim, puts him behind the wheel of the boat and Mike would immediately give it full throttle and Tim only would only say, “left or right” to him, never slow down. And of course, he always wore his “Kansas Institute for the Blind” ballcap when he was driving! His sister, Teri, was not amused!

When he was not cruising down the lake at full speed, he would take life a bit slower and go out on his cousin Bryan’s pontoon boat. This was probably his favorite place at the lake to be. Lots of people could go together, they would eat (another favorite thing to do), and then don life jackets and float in the water for hours at a time. He just loved spending time with all of his family.

And perhaps because of all the lake cruising, he and his father began taking “real” cruises. They went on many trips and Mike learned to really enjoy the all you can eat buffets and the casino. He was one lucky player too. Penny slot machines were his favorite, and many times he would be the big winner of the trip! His father, LaVern, and his brother in law, Tim, and his aunt Rita, all joined him in the casino, especially when the Slot Tournament took place.

Mike has been on submarine tours, has been swimming with the dolphins, petted the sting rays, and even got to ride on the America’s Cup Sailboat! But perhaps his favorite tour, or at least his niece, Aimee’s favorite one, may have been the tour when they got to sample Mexico’s tequila. Now, Mike had never had a drink in his life, and Aimee and Teri take him on an excursion to learn about Mexico. Well they got to taste chocolate made from cacao beans, got to make their own tortillas, and then they got to taste the tequila. Seven or eight different kinds… and Mike tasted each one! Let the giggling begin, because he was one happy camper! He was the life of the party that day!

And just next month, Mike was booked to go on another cruise during Valentines day and the excursion he chose was the “Salsa & Salsa” tour, which teaches you salsa dancing, how to make different types of salsas, and of course margaritas & tequila! However, being the great sister and niece & nephew that they are, Teri, Aimee & Jack are going to experience this for him in February!

On one cruise Michael entered the “hairy chest” contest and won! He got a very expensive “ship on a stick” that you may have seen on display here. That was a prized possession! He was even happier when everyone on the ship knew him by name & congratulated him.

He also went on a cruise for his 60th birthday and everyone wore matching shirts that said “Mike is cruising into 60”. Again, the people on the ship were so kind to him, congratulating him, saying happy birthday, and of course he loved to talk to all of them.

Back on dry land, Mike and Tim would go up and spend a day at Winstar Casino in Oklahoma. He loved to do that. Even had his favorite machines, which usually rewarded him for making the trip up. But Mike always felt like a winner as long as he cashed out something. When he would visit in Kansas, we would take his aunt Rita to the Kansas Star and they would both be having a great time!

Mike worked at Envision for over 20 years! He loved it there and had many friends there too. Everyday, Dad would drop him off at work and pick him up. I don’t think he ever complained about going to work… it was a place to see his friends and have fun. His nickname at Envision was “Superman”. No one knows for sure how this name got attached to him, but it was a great match, cause he was a Super.. man! Whenever we would be back in Wichita, we usually were able to go to Envision at least once and have lunch with some of his friends. Once he moved to Texas, after his dad died, he did enjoy the retirement, but he did miss his friends.

In Texas, his family kept him busy with many things; a pool was nearby so he could go swimming, Macklin and Braden always had baseball games that he liked to go to, and just recently Mike had joined a day group called “Advocates for Special People”. He really enjoyed that. They met every day and did many activities together. They did art & crafts, games, cooking, and more. He learned to make mac & cheese, and thought it was wonderful! On Thursdays he would meet the group at Alleycats and they would bowl. He was very happy to be bowing again.

Once a year he also participated in the Tim Tebow “Night to Shine” Prom. This was sponsored by the church and it is a night of dinner and dancing for all the special needs people in the area. He loved it! There was food (again a favorite!), games, limo rides, and music and dancing. He looked forward to this each year. He was hoping to feel better so that he could go, but he did realize that he would not be able to go this year.

And as you have heard, Mike loved to eat! He seldom turned down an offer of food. In fact, he has a t-shirt that he loved that said, “ I have a fork and I know how to use it.” He was always willing to be a judge at the annual “Chopped, Lake Edition” where each cabin had to prepare an appetizer, main dish and a dessert using leftover ingredients that they chose at random. It was always a fun event, and usually the dishes were quite tasty.

In 2015, Mike decided he wanted to get baptized. So his family watched as he gave his life over to Christ. He was so very happy about this decision. He began attending a Sunday School group called “Unlimited” at Crossroads Christian Church. He really like this group and quickly made new friends. He looked forward to seeing them each week.

Although Mike was physically and mentally challenged in life, he was a happy, kind, loving and fun son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to everyone. The world has truly lost a bright light that spread love and happiness where ever he was. And now, he is in heaven, free from his disabilities, back with his heavenly Father, and his earthly family and friends. He chose to tell his family to stop the treatment that he was receiving, because he knew it was time for him to go. We will all miss him greatly and love and remember him forever.

Funeral Service will be Saturday, Jan. 25 at 3:00 p.m. at Lakeview Funeral Home, 12100 E. 13th, Wichita, KS.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with Advocates for Special People, Inc. PO Box 121652, Arlington, TX 76012, and with ENVISION, 2301 S. Water, Wichita, KS, 67213.