Devon Leona Banister

Devon Leona Banister was born on February 23, 1936, with her twin sister Dorraine, in Cyrus, Minnesota, the daughter of Edward and Mae (Bly) Maanum. She was baptized at West Zion Lutheran Church and confirmed at Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck. She grew up in the country on a farm close to West Zion Lutheran Church.  When Devon was eight years old, she moved with her family to Valley City, North Dakota for one year and then to a cottage on Lake Minnewaska in Starbuck.  She attended Country school District #57 in Hoff Township, Pope County, and Elementary and Junior High in Starbuck, and later graduated in 1954 from Starbuck High School as Salutatorian of her class.

On May 13, 1955, Devon was united in marriage to Ronald Edward Banister at the East and West Zion Lutheran Church Parsonage by Rev. L. C. Anderson. They were blessed with four children and 55 years of marriage.  They settled in Benson, Minnesota for a short time then moved to her cousin’s farm between Starbuck and Benson and lived there for 58 years. Devon worked for one year for Dr. Wagner and Dr. Griffin as a receptionist and at the Starbuck Post Office for 11 years. She was a member of the saddle club and was an Adult Leader and Council Member of Midway 4H Club in Pope County.  She was a member of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Benson where she was active in the ladies circle and taught Sunday school. Devon was blessed to take two trips to Norway where she enjoyed meeting relatives because her grandparents came from Norway and homesteaded in Hoff Township, Pope County, in the 1870’s. She loved animals especially cats and horses and raised quarter horses for a time. She enjoyed sewing, reading books, watching TV – especially the Twins, and baking cakes and cookies. She loved gardening, playing whist with relatives, and spending time with her two youngest grandchildren.

She was called from this life on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at Westwind Village Nursing Home in Morris, Minnesota. She attained the age of 82 years, 2 months, and 8 days.

Devon is survived by her children Craig Banister of Denver, Colorado, Mark (Karla) Banister of Starbuck, Brian (Kimberly Sue) of Starbuck, and Kimberly Banister of Starbuck; six grandchildren: Zachary (Courtney), Aaron (Jordan), Alexis (Trenton) Berg, Kallista Banister, Presten Banister, and Chanc (Crystal) Nack; five great-grandchildren: Paisleigh  Banister,  Finn Banister, Lillian Banister, Felicity Nack, and Amira Nack; sister Sylvia Maanum of Osseo; sister-in-law Myong Maanum of Gardena, CA;  nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ronald on Sunday, March 6, 2011; her parents Edward and Mae; three sisters and two brothers-in-law: Elaine Steen, Claryce and Harvard Babcock, and Dorraine and Ole Grammentz; two brothers: Allwin Vernon Maanum and Marvin Maanum; and brother-in-law, Duane Banister; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Florence and William Cornell; nephew David Cornell; and niece Jean Grammentz.  Blessed be her memory.