Norma Joyce Ablard Banasky passed away peacefully surrounded by family in Puyallup, Washington on Thursday, December 12, 2019. Norma recently celebrated her 90th birthday in Tacoma surrounded by family. Norma was a devoted mother of two children and wife to Louis Banasky for over 50 years. Her departure is a loss shared by family members and friends.
Norma is preceded in death by her parents Hubert and Hazel Ablard, husband Louis Banasky in 2003, sister Janice Pounds, and granddaughter Lauren in 2008. Norma is survived by her sister Carol Lohmann, son Stephen Banasky, and daughter Nora Cracraft. Grandchildren include Erin Webster, Jennifer Cracraft, and Sara Banasky, Christina West, and Mark Baker. Great Grandchildren Hunter Webster, Meadow Webster, and James West.
Norma was born at the onset of the depression in the farming community surrounding Delphos, Kansas. After attending Delphos High School, Norma left the Midwest for Southern California staying with relatives while gaining employment. Norma met Louis while working at the same location and within a year they were married in 1949. Ever the greatest generation couple, Louis worked and finished school at USC, and bought a home on the GI Bill while Norma became mother to two small children. Later, Norma would guide two teenagers thru the sixties, always providing protection and encouragement when it was necessary to two very different personalities. After retirement, Norma and Louis maintained two homes; Delphos and Florida. Delphos became the studio for Norma’s new passion, Art. Over time, Norma became an accomplished oil painter. Her Kansas still scenes are on many family walls throughout the country. Norma also designed and created many quilts providing each grandchild a unique gift.
Norma was fascinated with travel specifically to ancient sites and cultures. She traveled with Louis to China, Europe, Egypt, and Latin America and absolutely was delighted every time she could grab a suitcase and head for the airport. Norma clearly had her favorite which was Egypt and her furnishings reflected her interest in home decoration.
Always fascinated with genealogy, Norma spent the last five years working on the Ablard-Hozapfel family tree and with the assistance of a researcher, traced the lineage to the 1650’s.
Norma will be remembered as a kind soul, terrific mother, and a trailblazer in pursuing a wonderful life for herself and her family.
Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Friday, December 20 at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis. Graveside services will be at 11:00 A.M., December 21 at Hall Cemetery, rural Delphos. The family kindly requests no flowers and ask that memorials be made to the Lauren Banasky Memorial Fund. For more information please visit www.laurenbanasky.com/foundation.