Funeral services for Mary Katherine ‘Katie’ Banta, 86, Fishers, Ind., formerly of Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, with the Rev. Melvin Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Mrs. Banta died Saturday, July 13, 2013, at The Hearth of Windermere in Fishers.
She was born June 12, 1927, in Emporia, the daughter of Guy S. and Velma C. Waller Zink. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1945 and attended Kansas University. She and her husband moved to Salt Lake City in 1960, and back to Lawrence in 1965. Katie worked at Weaver’s Department Store and in the office at Meyer Dairy in North Lawrence in the late 60’s and early 70’s. She later worked at the Lawrence Journal-World for many years, and retired from there in 1992. She was a member of First Christian Church, and the Order of the Eastern Star.
She married John V. Banta Jr. on July 30, 1950, in Lawrence. He preceded her in death in 1986. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Richard Zink. Survivors include two sons, Kieth R. Banta and wife Ann, Richland, Wash., and Chris Banta and wife Sondra, Fishers, Ind.; a sister, Betty Richey, Denver, Colo.; six grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
The family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of the funeral home, 601 Indiana St., Lawrence, KS, 66044. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com.
I had the pleasure of working with Katherine at the Lawrence Journal World. She was a fun & witty person whom I also had the opportunity to be with outside of work. She will be greatly missed by family & friends as I know she always talked about them.
May she now rest in peace!
Sincerely,
Doug & Karen Gwin
Katherine volunteered at First Christian Church while I was working there. She was such a sweet and beautiful lady. She had a great sense of humor and a love for God. She will be missed and will be in my memories for years to come.