Edwin (Ed) Eugene Ban, age 96, passed away the evening of January 8, 2022, in Billings Montana of pneumonia.
Ed was born September 18, 1925 to Nickola and Mary Ban in Terry, Montana. He was the 4th of five children.
He attended Terry High School completing his sophomore year.
He married the love of his life, DeLaine (Skippy) Ban on January 17, 1959. Skippy preceded him in death on January 23, 2002.
Ed adored Skippy. She could talk him in to anything (and usually did). On their honeymoon, the tranny broke on the car they were driving. Skippy convinced him to buy a brand new convertible right off the lot in Wyoming. They put 5,000 miles on the car making it as far as Las Vegas.
He was a hard-working man and worked a variety of jobs over the course of his life. He farmed and ranched, combined, dealt poker, took care of the manor, and ran his own lawn care business. Ed was also the caretaker of the Sacred Heart Church for 34 years.
He loved to play cards (especially rummy), shake dice, watch rodeos and basketball on television, and harass anyone that would let him. It was common to see Ed riding his mower around town.
He told everyone that when he turned 90 he would retire. He slowly cut back, but still continued to mow two yards and take care of the church even at age 96. He needed to go on oxygen in the fall of 2021, and decided to move to Autumn Spring Assisted Living in Billings, Montana, in December 2021.
He lived in Terry his entire life with the exceptions of going to Gila Bend Arizona and Henderson Nevada in the winters with Skippy, spending the winter of 2020 – 2021 with his daughter in Florida, and his final move to Billings in 2021.
His first trip to the beach with his daughter was an experience. He sat in a lawn chair while Niki took a brief walk down the shoreline. After returning from her walk, Niki asked Ed if he was hot to which he replied, “Yes, I think I forgot to take my long johns off.”
Ed Ban was proceeded in death by his parents, Nickola and Mary Ban, his wife, DeLaine (Skippy) Ban, his son, Bill Ban, daughter-in-law ,Veronica Wiseman, and his brothers – Joe Ban, Ivan Ban, and Frank Ban.
Ed Ban is survived by his daughter, Niki (Willie) Kleinsasser and their children Ronnie (Danielle) Humann, Kristie (Willard) Myers, April (Chris) Schaff, William (Stephanie) Kleinsasser Jr., and Laramie Kleinsasser; grandchildren Kim (Rudy) Stulc, Dawn (PJ) Torres, Marcy Wiseman, Sadie (Riley) Lubbers, William Mills, and Bruce (Heather) Larson; sister Ann Frette, and numerous great and great-great grandchildren.
It’s not goodbye, but until we meet again.
Visitation will be held Friday, January 21, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Terry. Services will be held at the Sacred Heart Church in Terry on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at 11:00 a.m.; committal will follow immediately after at the Prairie County Cemetery. A luncheon will follow the committal at the American Legion.
Condolences, stories about Ed, and pictures may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday January 21, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry, Montana 59349
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 a.m.
Saturday January 22, 2022
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Terry, Montana 59349
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Mass
Saturday January 22, 2022
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Montana 59349
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday January 21, 2022
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
300 Spring Street
Terry, Montana 59349
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 a.m.
Saturday January 22, 2022
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Terry, Montana 59349
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Mass
Saturday January 22, 2022
Prairie County Cemetery
Terry, Montana 59349
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Cheryl Neal says
Prayers for Ed’s family. Always enjoyed visiting with him and envious of all his energy.
Flint Fleming says
Great memories of Ed and Skippy, RIP old friend!
Richard and LInda Meidinger says
Met them when we were on a bowling league in Miles City years ago. They were so much fun to be around. He was a super nice fun man. May he rest in peace. May your super memories help you the family through this difficult time. Your all in our thoughts and prayers.
Marj Anderson says
Ed was such a character, fine one at that! In the years I worked at the hardware it was always a good time when Ed would come in. Filling Ed’s shoes as caretakers of things will be big shoes to fill. Condolences to Ed’s family and may God Bless.
Sharon Volkman says
Ed took such good care of his family. He was such a kind, caring, thoughtful person. He did so many things in caring for Skippy and taking her to fun places, even swimming. I was a near neighbor when their daughter, Niki, was a little girl. In later years, for him, Ed came to dances at the Drop-In Center in Miles City Niki, I am sorry for your loss.
David & Diedree says
So sorry we will be unable to attend your Dad”s funeral. Never know what the roads and weather will be like this time of year. A few years back we were stranded in Wyoming twice because of weather and road conditions. Your Dad will be greatly missed in Terry. He took care of so many yards Mowed and shoveled sidewalks. We always tried to stop by and visit him if only for a short time when we got back to Terry. Just want you to know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Cindy Ban says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Ed’s family. He is Greg’s uncle and always called us in the fall to see how the crops were. He always cared about others. RIP Uncle Ed!!
Terry Morse says
My father, Harry Morse, considered Ed his best friend. So, my son Paul and I came to know Ed as a close friend as well. When we spent time in Terry we never failed to join Ed to play cards, and enjoy the humor and spirit he carried with him. We will miss these times together, but will always remember them fondly. Our thoughts are with Ed’s family.
Roosevelt Garner Brasseur, MD says
Dr. Brasseur says:
Ed Ban was married to my sister, Skippy Brasseur. Something saintly about his character as I have seen and interacted with him Lo these many years. How tenderly he cared for her through the long years of her progressive disabilities. I and all of my brothers and sisters liked and greatly respected this man. In the past twenty or more years I have usually stopped over to visit Ed once or twice a year on my journeys of visitation into the Nortwest from my home in New Mexico. He tolerated it so well, you might almost have thought he enjoyed it May Ed Ban rest in peace. He will be missed by many.