Edna Banik

Edna Jean Banik 103, of Tolstoy, passed away Thursday, February 26, 2015 at the Faulkton Senior Living, Faulkton.

Funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2015 at the United Methodist Church, Tolstoy with Rev. Julie Nygarrd officiating. Burial followed at the German Zion Congregational Cemetery, Tolstoy. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, March 1, 2015 at Luce Funeral Home, Faulkton.

Edna was born June 28, 1911 north of Tolstoy SD to Martin and Louisa (Wolff) Heiser. Edna grew up and attended school in the Tolstoy area. She married Dave Banik on February 16, 1930 at Tolstoy. Shortly after their two sons James and Kenneth were born they moved to Watertown where they remained through their sons early school years. The beginning of WWII found Dave and Edna moving back to Tolstoy where Dave worked for Hottman Grain Co. In 1955 they purchased the business from DG Hottman and established Banik and Sons Elevator. They owned and operated this business as well as Tolstoy Grocery until Dave’s retirement in 1986. In 1994, one year after Dave’s death, Edna moved to Sioux Falls to be closer to family where she stayed until 2010. The last five years Edna was a resident of the Faulkton Senior Living Facility.

Edna was a member of the United Methodist Church, Tolstoy, SD, where she enjoyed serving with the women and singing in the choir. As a long time member of the ABC Club she was always available to help with any community project. Edna enjoyed hosting guests and loved making you feel comfortable in her home, you never left without lunch and a cup of coffee. One of her favorite daily pastimes was reading the entire Aberdeen American News or enjoying a good book. Edna loved to sing, just days before her death she could be heard singing Jesus Loves Me in German.

Survivors include one son, Kenneth (Jean) Banik of Rapid City; one sister. Mrs. Ed “Emma” Banik of Spokane, WA; five grandchildren: David Banik of Sunderland MD, Rhonda (Jim) Savage of Riverdale MD, Neil (Nancy) Banik of Germany, Gaven (Martha) Banik of Sioux Falls and Peggy (Brian) Minnich of McPherson, KS; 12 great grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren.

Edna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Dave; one son James and daughter-in-law Delores; a great grandson Steven Banik; three brothers: Albert, Ed and John Heiser; three sisters: Deloris Geist, Martha Bieber and Lena Roesch.

The family is very appreciative of the Faulkton Senior Living and the great care they gave to Edna during her years there.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Edna’s arrangements.