Helen Louise Banister

Helen Louise Banister



Helen Louise Banister, a long-time resident of Papillion, Nebraska, passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at Hospice House in Omaha Nebraska after a long illness.



Born in 1943, Helen grew up in Garden City, Missouri, where she graduated from high school in 1961. Helen received her Bachelor's Degree from Central Missouri University in Warrensburg, Missouri in 1965 and then entered the graduate program there to obtain her Masters Degree. Helen consistently achieved scholastic excellence throughout both high school and college, and she belonged to several organizations that honor academic excellence, including the National Honor Society and Alpha Lambda Delta.



After completing her education, Helen taught high school mathematics and physics for several years. During most of that time, Helen was a teacher at Sherwood High School located near her home town.



In 1970, Helen joined the United States Air Force. She completed Officer Training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and meteorology training in North Carolina. Helen's first assignment as a meteorologist was at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. It was there that she met her soul mate and partner for life, Edward W. Banister. Helen and Edward were married in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 12, 1973. After leaving the Air Force, Helen was a homemaker for many years.



Helen was a great lover of animals; she and Edward shared their apartment with three beloved cats for many years. Helen helped to support organizations that facilitate animal adoptions and work to end animal cruelty.



Helen was preceded in death by her parents, William Curtis Hodge and Helen Dorothy (Miller) Hodge. Surviving her are here husband of 41 years, Edward of Papillion; Brother Ronald (Mary Ann) of Battle Creek, Michigan and Niece Sarah B. Hodge of San Antonio, Texas.



Funeral services to celebrate Helen's life will be at the John A. Gentleman Mortuaries Bellevue/Sarpy Chapel at 11AM on Thursday November 6. Visitation 5-7 PM on Wednesday. In lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kidney Foundation.



Services:

Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 11AM at John A. Gentleman Bellevue/Sarpy Chapel



Visitation:

Wednesday, November 5, 2014 5-7PM at John A. Gentleman Bellevue/Sarpy Chapel