For nearly a quarter century, Russell Motschenbacher brought Christmas spirit to the Fox Valley, embracing thousands of kids and families who came to see Santa.

The long-time Fox River Mall Santa, Russell Motschenbacher, has died at the age of 87 in Montana, a source close to him told the Post-Crescent. Motschenbacher served as Santa at the mall for 25 years before retiring in 2019. Jeff McMullen, who’s better known as “Santa Mac,” has known Motschenbacher since the mid 1990s.

He was Santa Claus to everyone, and Russell Motschenbacher to some. Just a couple weeks after the holiday he embodied, the icon passed away in his home state of Montana at the age of 87. “It was like losing a family member,

Updated with statement from Fox River Mall and user-submitted photos of SantaGREAT FALLS, Mont. (WBAY) - A man fondly known as the “Fox River Mall Santa” for years passed away Tuesday at the age of 87.

GRAND CHUTE, Wis–A man known as the “Fox River Mall Santa” has died. Family members say that Russell Motschenbacher passed away in Montana at the age of 87. Motschenbacher served as the mall Santa for 25-years before retiring in 2019.