Norbert M. Banowetz (1931-2021)

BANOWETZ, REUTER, KLOFT

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/1/2021 at 15:55:20

Norbert M. Banowetz, 89, of Cedar Rapids died Wednesday January 27, 2021. Private service will be held. Burial in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Maquoketa at 1:00 PM on Monday. There will be a visitation on Sunday from 2 to 4 PM at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. As mandated by proclamation, social distancing must be practiced which requires a limited number of people to be allowed into the visitation at one time. The use of facemasks or shields are required.

Norbert was born October 24th, 1931, the son of Michael and Wilhelmina (Reuter) Banowetz, in Jackson County. He attended Preston High School and graduated from Maquoketa High School in 1950. After high school he enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving from 1950 to 1954. He served a Korea Tour of Duty in 1952 and 1953. After his discharge from the Air Force he attended the University of Iowa, majoring in Accounting. He was then employed in the US Post Office followed by employment as an Agent for the Internal Revenue Service, until retirement in 1990, with a total of 35 years of government service. After Federal retirement he was employed by the Cedar Rapids School District as a bus driver for 15 years.

On June 30th, 1953, he married Vera Kloft, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bellevue, IA. This union brought 4 children, Sharon, Mark, Nancy and Kevin.

Norbert was a member of St. Matthew’s Holy Name Society, American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus, National Association of Retired Federal Employees and the Polka Lovers Club of Iowa.

Survivors include children Mark (Kathleen) Banowetz of Ely, IA., Nancy (Gregory) Wymore of Cedar Rapids, IA., Kevin (Julie) of O’Fallon, MO., and Son-In-Law Neil Flesher of Avon, CO. Grandchildren Ryan Flesher, Lindsay (Brad) Hogan, Brian (Betsy) Banowetz, Kayla (Morgan) Mehlert, Chad Nunemaker, Amanda (Zach) Klimesh, Dr. Julia (Ilya) Buchkina, Timothy, Brad and Jonathan Banowetz, and 11 Great Grandchildren. Also surviving brother, Raymond (Pat) Banowetz of Marion, IA., and Sister Dolores Banowetz of Dubuque, IA.

He was proceeded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Vera, and daughter Sharon, his parents, 3 sisters and 9 brothers.