In Memory ~ Koester, Marilyn (Banks)

In Memory ~ Marilyn Koester Banks

Marilyn Kay Banks Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Marilyn Kay Banks (Alliance, Nebraska), who passed away on December 23, 2019, at the age of 76, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.

She was predeceased by : her parents, Paul Koester and Florence Koester (Jewell); her parents-in-law, Kenneth Eugene Banks and Hazel Amsberry Banks; her brother William Koester. She is survived by : her children, Carolyn Renee Banks, Steven Eugene Banks, Carolyn Banks-Hoff and Steve Banks (Susan Emmett Banks); her husband Don Banks; her sister-in-law Marjorie Koester (Mischnick); her nephew David Koester (Jing Jing); her grandchildren, Paige Renee Zaro (Kevin), Shawna Eve Banks and Sierra Elisabeth Banks. She is also survived by many cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 30th 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Immanuel Lutheran Church (1024 Box Butte Ave, Alliance, NE 69301, USA).

Memorials may be given to the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran School or to a charity of the donor's choice.

(picture above is from 2011)

1961 AHS annual picutre

1948??

In the 50th class reunion booklet:

Koester, Marilyn

Spouse ~ Don Banks

423 Anthony

Alliance, NE  69301

308-762-9105

dmbanks@bbc.net

C ~ Carolyn, Steve                 G ~ Three granddaughters

I attended UNL in the fall following graduation.  By going year around, I was able to graduate in 1964 with a BS degree in Home Economics.  I married Don Banks, also a UNL graduate, in 1964 and we moved to a school section farm northeast of Alliance.  Our children Carolyn and Steve were born while we lived there.  We grew wheat and feed crops and ran several hundred head of sheep.  Really enjoyed living on the farm.  We lost the lease on the school land in 1975, so we sold the farm machinery and moved on.  We bought an acreage near Berea, eventually building a house in 1977-78.  Don bought into a beekeeping business and for the next 22 years, we managed bees, produced and sold honey.   It was very interesting, but hard work.  Later on we moved into food manufacturing and produced honey butter and several honey-sweetened fruit spreads for the gourmet food market.  Product development was conducted through the Food Processing Center at the University of Nebraska.

Marketing gourmet food products through food reps at some of the major gift marts in the Midwest was more stress than it was fun.

We spent a lot of years in 4-H with the kids showing livestock and participating in fairs and activities.  Both kids were active in high school sports, so we were involved in out-of-town trips and games. Both graduated from Hemingford High School and area community colleges.  Carolyn has one daughter who just graduated from AHS.  Steve has two daughters, 8 & 5, who are enrolled in Alliance Elementary Schools.

I started cooking at a rural school (42 students) north of Alliance in 2005 and later moved to a para educator position at Grandview Elementary.  Both jobs were a good fit.  I just retired in 2011.  We sold our country home in 2007 and moved to Alliance.  I am looking forward to retirement and doing fun things like fishing, antiquing, and gardening with Don.  I enjoy time with the grandchildren, crafting, cooking, sewing and volunteer work.