Burnette Banker

Burnette Marcella Banker, age 92 of Cannon Falls, died at her home on Monday morning, June 29, 2015. Burnette was born on April 7, 1923 in Zumbrota, MN, the daughter of Anton and Minnie (Olson) Berg. She attended country school in Zumbrota, and married Robert D. Banker on November 19, 1941 in Zumbrota. They started their married life working together in gardening and trapping. Soon after, they started a beekeeping business which eventually offered a self-service stand on Hwy 52. Their daughter, Sharon and her family joined in the business and 50 years later they owned over 300 colonies and transported them between Texas and Minnesota. Burnette was also a great cook and baker and won many blue ribbons at the State Fair for her efforts. During this time Burnette also became certified Home Health Aide for Goodhue County and worked as a Hearing Technician for the schools and a Home Health Aide for several years.

She and Bob worked hard and played hard. They had hobbies ranging from fishing to snowmobiling to digging ginseng. She loved sports and especially followed baseball, high school basketball and golf. She also loved all the activities the grandchildren and great grandchildren participated in and wanted phone calls after some of their games and actives. Most importantly, she loved being around her family and friends. She was a great hostess and many people enjoyed her cooking talents at homes in Cannon, Northern MN, Texas, and Arizona. After Bob's death, Burnette moved permanently to Arizona and continued to have many visitors and parties. Her last party in Arizona was her 90th birthday where she announced she was returning to Cannon Falls. She spent her last two years reuniting with old friends, family, and reconnecting with her church, Spring Garden Lutheran, where she and Bob had been members for many years. She was a "one of a kind" Granny to many, but her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren loved spending time with her and hearing her many stories. Some were quite "shocking" and full of fun and flair. Her last years she thanked God many times for a wonderful life and the ability to spend those final years near to those she loved so dearly. She wanted everyone to know what God had done in her life and how her faith had grown tremendously. She said often she wished she wouldn't have waited so long to surrender herself to His will because He provided her with so much peace and joy. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of nearly 58 years, Robert on March 26, 1999; sister, Vi (Laverne) Friese; and brothers, Marvin and Orville Berg, and great grandson, John Robert Wegner. She is survived by her children, Sharon (Harlan) Prink of Purdy, MO, Gary Banker (Jo Richert) of Belen, NM, and Marcia (Dennis) Flom of Chanhassen; 6 grandchildren, Carey Prink, Craig (Victoria) Prink, Janine (Rob) Wegner, David (Nancy) Flom, Sara (Erik) Jacobsen, and Michelle Banker; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Joyce (Irene) Berg of Oronoco, Rosemary (Percy) Thompson of Goodhue, Marlene (Clair) Willis of Cannon Falls, and Allen (Shirley ) Berg of Hastings; sisters-in-law, Clarice Berg of Rochester and Marcie Berg of Cannon Falls; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 2 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation from 10-11 a.m., at Spring Garden Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Active pallbearers will be her grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers will be all of her dear friends. Memorials are preferred to donor's choice.

Funeral Home: Lundberg Funeral Home 5839 Hwy 19 Blvd Cannon Falls, MN US 55009

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Service
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Graveside Service
Thursday, July 2, 2015

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