Leo Elbert Banner of Des Moines Iowa passed away April 13, 2021. He was born October 16, 1938 in Union County Iowa to Vurl Banner and Marie Twombley Banner.
Leo is survived by his wife Sara Joan and children & grandchildren: Leigh Ann Arthur (Ed), Sarah, Thomas, Mary & Rachel; James Banner, Breanna & Alana; Judy Mateer (Mike), Kirk & Bradley...all of Des Moines; Siblings: Jan Barr Sun City, AZ; half-brother Scott Cretors (Sue) Indianola, Iowa; Step siblings: Chuck Cretors (Joyce) Urbandale, Iowa and Audrey Harris Des Moines, Iowa; Nephew Donald West Jr. (Huong) and Niece Monica Urias (Joe); And of course, many other family and friends.
Leo was preceded in death by: father Vurl Banner, mother Marie Cretors, step father Adrian Cretors, Banner grandparents & Uncle Vern Banner who raised him, and in-laws Howard & Opal Johnson.
Main jobs included farmer, IL Central Railroad, building maintenance, construction, and truck driving for Herberger Construction. He retired from Hotel Fort Des Moines. Leo was a member of the former Leon Christian Church, avid gardener (and occasional deer hunter) and a former volunteer firefighter in St Marys Iowa. He handcrafted many wood items for his family and friends. Leo was noted for his pop & beer can airplanes and he wasn’t afraid to use a sewing machine. Leo never knew a stranger. He was a jack of all trades and what he didn’t know he figured it out. Always a farmer at heart.
Visitation will be held Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 1:00 to 4:00pm located at Merle Hay Funeral Home, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines Iowa. Light snack provided. Burial at a later date.
