Janet Bain Banta
January 9, 2012
Service: January 14, 2012
Janet Banta, aged 88, easily and gently breathed her last on Monday, January 9th, 2012. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, James Stuart Banta. Janet attended East Grand Rapids HIgh School, earned her BA from the University of Michigan after which she completed her Master of Nursing degree at Western Reserve University, Francis Paine School of Nursing. Later she returned to Grand Valley State Colleges for a Masters degree in Education. She and Jim raised five children on a farm in Cascade Township. Janet was an inspiring teacher, a loving mother, and a friend and partner to her husband. She held a distinguished career as a nurse, then as a professor of nursing at Grand Valley State University. At the time of her retirement GVSC school of Nursing established the Banta/Perkins Award which is awarded to the outstanding Senior Nursing student by their peers. In 1989 Janet was appointed Emeritis Faculty member at GVSC. She is survived by her five children, John (Linda) of New York; Mary (James Koert) of Massachusetts; Steven (Julia) of Texas, David (Maran) of Georgia, Ted (Beth) of Grand Rapids, fifteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. We celebrate her life this Saturday, January 14th, 2012 at 4:00 PM in services held at Fountain Street Church. Visitation with the family will be held at Ofield Funeral Home, 4500 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Kentwood, on Friday, January 13, 2012 from 6-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Kirkoff College of Nursing at GVSU, University Development, PO Box 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501.
Linda Bond January 11, 2012
Janet was my mentor when I arrived at GVSU in 1986. She helped me navigate the role of Coordinator of the Baccalaureate Nursing Program. She was a valued colleague in the west Michigan nursing community. She was the first member of the KCON faculty to retire. It was our honor to establish the Banta Award; later to be named the Banta/Perkins Award. This change also recognized Suzanne Perkins who died prematurely; but also left a lasting mark on the development of the College.
Her kindness continued as my mother moved to Clark about the same time as Janet and Jim. When my mother died, Janet attended her memorial service at the Clark chapel.
She will be missed by many.
Linda Bond, PhD, RN
Professor Emerita, GVSU
Cindy and Randy Davis January 11, 2012
Sympathy and love to the Banta family. Knowing Steve as a loving family man and professional in all walks of life is certainly a gracious tribute to his Mother.
Emily Droste-Bielak January 11, 2012
Janet and I shared many years teaching undergraduate nursing students and living in the Lakeshore area. We had many laughs and discussions about her shoes being the cause of her falls while she was actively teaching. She will be missed.
Mary Guigue Johnson January 12, 2012
My deepest condolences on your loss. I was privileged to share your mom in the early 1970’s when she was an instructor at Butterworth Hospital School of Nursing. She was kind, compassionate, and it was obvious she loved nursing, loved her students, and loved watching her students succeed. She was a nurturer of young women and men and taught us that our profession was what we made of it, the world of nursing was ours for the taking. Mrs. Banta was one of my favorite instructors and although I am now in my late 50’s, she will always be “Mrs. Banta” to me!
My heartfelt prayers go out to you, the family. Treasure your memories of her; I still treasure mine.
Mary Guigue Johnson Class of 1974 BWHS of N
Janel Belding January 13, 2012
Hugs to the family. Janet will be missed. She touched many of us and was a strong, sweet lady. Lots of fun memories; building floats in the barn, sharing music, playing tricks, and friendships @ church youth groups. May these memories and more help to heal hearts due to the loss of such a special person. Sending our love, Janel and Kris
Mary Seeger January 13, 2012
Janet was my friend and my colleague…(not to mention the mother of my early student Mary).....her contributions to GVSU and our nursing program continue, and she will be sorely missed…..Mary Seeger, dean and professor emerita, GVSU
Susan DeWit VanderHyde Spainhour January 13, 2012
Jan was my mentor and lifelong friend. She guided me and influenced my decision to become a registered nurse from age 12, as my “candy striper” instructor. She encouraged me to continue my bachelors and graduate education. Throughout high school and college I visited them many times at their home on Lake Michigan. She was my extended ‘family’. What wonderful memories I have of her. She and her husband Jim, introduced my mother to Bill Banta and they were married over 28 years.
“When through one woman, a little more love and goodness, a little more light and truth come into the world, then that woman’s life has had meaning”
Marian Foster Cochran January 14, 2012
Janet always made you feel that you were special. I know she was one of my mother’s favorite people. I don’t recall every seeing her without a smile and a kind word. I know she will be missed but we have been blessed to know her. My love to all the family.
Lucille Grimm January 17, 2012
Janet Banta was a special colleague welcoming me to KCON when I joined the nursing faculty in 1984. She was a social friend as well as a nursing colleague.
A lovely lady and a dedicated nurse.
Rocky January 18, 2012
Unbelievable how well-written and inorfmative this was.
Phyllis Gendler January 30, 2012
I first met Janet when she and Jim were playing mixed doubles and they often beat Harvey and me at tennis. She was always so gracious. I was later privileged to teach in the same courses with Janet when she came to Grand Valley and the Nursing Program. She was committed to the students and her colleagues and wanted the best for everyone. I have wonderful memories of my many years of association with her. When I was appointed Dean, she wrote me a beautiful letter congratulating me, which brought back memories of our time together. I saved the letter because she meant so much to me. My condolences on your loss,
Phyllis Gendler