Gerald Leslie Banning

Gerald Leslie Banning, 102, passed away June 6, 2026, at his home near Berwick, Iowa. He was born July 7, 1923 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Dale and Ethel (Frantz) Banning.

Gerald remained a lifelong resident of Iowa, raised with the daily work and steady obligations of an Iowa farm family just south of Saylorville. After graduating from Woodside High School, he was called up for induction into the military, but was subsequently deferred from service because of his status as the “only son” of an Iowa farmer. Instead, his service to the war effort would be at home, helping to feed the troops. He later married his high school sweetheart, Mary Elizibeth Yoders, with whom he shared 68 years of marriage before her passing. Together they purchased a farm near Berwick, Iowa, where they raised a family and where he lived for 71 years. He was a faithful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, neighbor, friend, and a man of steadfast Christian faith. He was known for his kind and gentle nature and his habit of never complaining. He and Mary Beth were active in the Berwick church. They enjoyed playing bridge with friends, many late-night games of Rook and pounce with family, travels to Alaska and Ireland, and family trips to Minnesota and the American West. Most of all, they enjoyed long summer stays at their lakeside cabin in northern Minnesota, where they often entertained grandchildren by the carload. Gerald had a wonderful sense of humor, a sharp and curious mind, and a lifelong love of reading, crossword puzzles, and many types of classical and spiritual music. He enjoyed all types of games, quickly mastering them, and was a fierce but good-natured competitor. Widowed in his later years and enduring failing eyesight, he continued to enjoy audiobooks, Jeopardy, old-time gospel music, and the music of Daniel O'Donnell. To the very end, his mind was as sharp as ever, and he retained his same steady presence to those who cherished him: humble, generous, patient, self-sacrificing, and kind. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He is survived by his son, Stephen (Bettye) Banning; daughters-in-law, Janet Banning and Sheryl Banning; grandchildren, Stephen (Jen Marie) Banning II, Keith (Jennifer) Banning, Jeffrey Banning, Hollie (Troy) Harmison, Braden (Karissa) Banning, Douglas (Krystale) Banning, Kristina Banning, David Banning, and Erik (Jaclyn) Banning; great-grandchildren, Caitlin, Henry, Reed, Abigail, Hunter, Delaney, Thea, Colton, Blake, Wyatt, Makayla, Gabriel, Kylie, Saxon, Sophia, Jay, and Saylor; along with many nieces and “favorite” nephews.

Gerald was preceded in death by his wife Mary Beth Banning; his sons Brian Banning and Mark Banning; parents, Dale and Ethel Banning; sisters, Lorraine (Arthur) Cross and Barbara (Rhys) Reese.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines, with burial following at Berwick Cemetery. The family will greet friends the afternoon prior, Sunday, June 14, 2026 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. also at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army in loving memory of Gerald Banning at: https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/

Condolences for the family may be expressed online at:
https://www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com/

The family is grateful to the UnityPoint Hospice team and the Home Instead nursing staff for the compassionate care they provided Gerald in his final days. Their skill, attentiveness, and kindness helped honor his wish to remain in familiar surroundings and brought comfort to Gerald and those who loved him.

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