Barbara L. Banks, 76, of Sterling, Illinois, died Tuesday, December 9, 2008, at her son's home in Sterling.

Barbara was born on June 7, 1932, in Blue Hill, Nebraska, to Albert P. and Laura (Holbein) Alber. She was a graduate of Farnam High School in Farnam, Nebraska, and the Sauk Valley Community College LPN Program.

She married John W. Banks on December 17, 1953, in Sterling. He preceded her in death on June 13, 2007. Barb was employed by Illinois Bell Telephone Co. in Sterling, followed by the Admiral Corporation in Dixon, Illinois. She was then employed for 26 years in various capacities for the former Whiteside County Nursing Home and Pleasant View Nursing Home in Morrison, Illinois, retiring in 1995 from the position of LPN and Social Worker Designee.

Barb was a member of the First Church of Nazarene in Sterling, and a volunteer for the church's Helping Hands Food Pantry. She enjoyed spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include one daughter, Bethany (Dr. John) Lorenz of Evansville, Indiana; two sons, Michael (Kathy) Banks of Sterling, and Jason (Lori) Banks of New Berlin, Wisconsin; four grandchildren, Tracy (Mrs. Ian) Geiger, Gregory Banks, Chelsey Banks, Paul Joseph Lorenz; twin great-grandchildren, Gwendolyn and Liam Geiger; and one brother, Albert W. "Bill" (June) Alber of Sterling.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 13, 2008, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Sterling. Interment was at Riverside Cemetery in Sterling.

The Rev. Robert J. Hasselbring of the First Church of the Nazarene in Sterling officiated.

Memorials are suggested to the family.

Morrison Chapel - Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Tri-City Tribune, 19 December 2008.