Richard Banitt

Richard Harley Banitt slipped away from this life, mid-afternoon on Friday, August 9, 2019 at the age of 73 years. His long and courageous battle with cancer is finished!

Rick, as everyone called him, was born in Red Wing, MN on July 22, 1946, to Donald and Adeline (Groth) Banitt, a farm couple living in Bellechester, MN. Rick attended elementary school in Wastedo after the family moved to Belle Creek. He attended Cannon Falls High School from which he graduated in 1966.

Rick married Fay Krause fifty years ago this past June. He and Fay raised four children in the rural Cannon Falls area. Most of the family moved to Sandy Valley, NV and lived there for 16 years, before Rick and Fay returned to rural Cannon Falls after retirement.

Rick loved horses as a child, and for most of his life, owned several of those beloved animals. He rode trail rides, participated in horseback riding in the annual Cannon Falls parade along with his children, showed horses, helped his children and grandchildren when they were showing horses and competing with horses. During 1976, America’s Bicentennial celebration, Rick, along with others, built a covered wagon pulled by horses he drove as he participated in several of the celebrations around the county.

Rick worked for several different companies over the years, including Sheldahl in Northfield and Treasure Island Casino at Prairie Island. He made many friends wherever he worked. He was fond of gardening and did a bit of canning of food; made very good pickles. He also cherished time with his birth family, extended family and his own family, which has grown to include eight grandchildren.

Rick is survived by his loving wife, Fay; daughter, Tracy Arett (Todd Franklin); sons, Todd (Julie Cross), Tony (Beth), and Kerk; grandchildren, Taylor Arett, Isaiah Clennon, Austin Banitt, Cody Banitt, Leah Banitt (Bo Marks), Lexie Banitt, Savannah Banitt, and Brody Banitt; sisters, Carol Mitchener and Mary (Junior) Toledo; brother, Jerry (Marjorie) and Jeff (Sheri); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Howard, Michael, and Theodore.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Friday, August 23 from 5-7 pm at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls.