Duane Banister

May 21, 1931 — March 6, 2016

Duane Banister, age 84, of Benson, died Sunday, March 6 at his home.

Duane Banister was born May 21, 1931 on the family farm in Stevens County, Minnesota, the son of Harry Herlas and Julia F. (Gunderson) Banister. Later, they moved to a farm in Hoff Township, Pope County. He was confirmed at West Zion Lutheran Church. He attended grade school at District #57 in Hoff Township and graduated from Hancock High School in Hancock, Minnesota with the Class of 1949.

From 1951 to 1954, Duane spent his time in the U.S. Army where he was admitted into the Army Security Agency. He spent 18 months on the island of Oahu, Hawaii repairing Army teletype machines.

Following his time in the Army, Duane returned to the family farm. In 1961, he entered the Minnesota School of Business, which enabled him to find a job in Paynesville. After that, he moved to St. Cloud and worked for Franklin Manufacturing and for Pinkerton Security for some years. Duane ended his working career as a custodian at St. Cloud University, where he worked for 24 years before retiring in 1993.

After 42 years, Duane visited Hawaii in 1996 with his brother Ronald and nephew Craig. The Army barracks where he stayed was still there as well as the building where he worked.

Duane moved to Benson in 2003. He was a member of the Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ and delivered Meals on Wheels with his younger brother Ronald.

Among other things, Duane enjoyed reading and often spent time at the library. He spent a lot of time outdoors in the warm months and could often be seen riding his bike around Benson.

Duane is survived by his sister-in-law Devon Banister (Ronald) of Starbuck; the children of his sister Florence Cornell (Bill): Lawrence (Kathy) Cornell, Ken (Barb, died 2006; Jeanette) Cornell, Linda (Gene) Schultz; the children of his brother Ronald (Devon): Craig Banister, Mark (Karla) Banister, Brian (Kimberly Sue) Banister, Kimberly K. Banister; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Harry Herlas and Julia F. Banister; his brother Ronald; his sister Florence and her husband William Cornell; and a nephew, David Cornell.

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Past Services

Visitation

Monday, March 14, 2016

12:00 - 2:00 pm (Central time)

Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ

211 13th Street North, Benson, MN 56215

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