Francine Dorothy Linnenkamp Banes, 15 Dec 1933 - 12 Jun 2025

BANES, LINNENKAMP, PEIFFER, HEUSING, LUCKY, BROWN, FORBES, EUBANKS, HANRAHAN, CLARK, HORRAS, CARTER

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 6/25/2025 at 15:47:32

Francine Dorothy Linnenkamp Banes, 91, of Fairfax, died very unexpectedly yet peacefully Thursday, June 12, 2025, in her beloved home. Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at St. John XXIII Catholic Church, Fairfax, by the Rev. Greg Bahl. Burial: St. Patrick Cemetery, Fairfax. A Rosary Service will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, at Teahen Funeral Home. Those not attending the Rosary may visit with the family from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home or after 9 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

One of seven children, she was born Dec. 15, 1933, at Harper, Iowa, to Pauline (Peiffer) and Francis Linnenkamp. She married John Eldon "JB" Banes on February 5, 1953, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Together, they found joy in travel—especially to Gulf Shores in their RV—and spent many weekends soaring through the skies in the various airplanes they piloted. She and JB shared 71 years together until he died in 2024.

In the dictionary, Francine is listed under Spunky, Sharp, Stubborn and Loving, to name just a few, but the biggest entry is definitely under Unconditional Love. She was a devout Catholic and a faithful member of (the former) St. Patrick's Catholic Church and St. John XXIII Catholic Church, Fairfax. Her faith guided her life, as did her deep love for her family and community. Francine had a green thumb and a gifted hand in the kitchen. She loved gardening and cooking, and she proudly collected countless cookbooks and magazines over the years. For many years, she was an integral part of Banes Construction, playing a vital role behind the scenes with dedication and heart.

Francine was an active member of the Altar and Rosary Society and the Catholic Order of Foresters. She was also a proud founding member of the Young Eagles program, encouraging youth in aviation.

Francine is survived by her children, J.R. (Becki) Banes of Toddville, Curtis (Calleen) Banes of Cedar Rapids, Tom Banes of Fairfax, and Lauralee (John) Heusing of Amana; seven grandchildren: Corey (Vicky) Banes, Cody (Dan) Lucky, Jordan (Tim) Brown, Riley (Kyle) Forbes, Cameron (Sami) Eubanks, Spencer Eubanks, and Jake (Cora) Heusing; and 16 great-grandchildren; siblings, Ione Hanrahan, Maryanne Clark, Paul Linnenkamp, and Karen (Richard) Horras, along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband JB, her parents, brother Keith (Mary) Linnenkamp, and sister Rita (Harold) Carter.

Memorials may be directed to the family for a charity of their choice.

Published in The Gazette on June 15, 2025.