Obituary of Russell Bankes

 

Russell L. “Bud” Bankes, Jr, 90, of Chanhassen, MN passed away June 14, 2024 in Chaska, MN. Bud was born in Reading, PA on October 13, 1933 to the late Ada V. (Hofmann) and Russell L. Bankes, Sr. He graduated from Reading High School.

Bud said of his life, “I’ve led a full, rich and blessed life.” Bud was an Eagle Scout and known for his gentle, compassionate nature and witty tongue. He enjoyed rich friendships with others regardless of their color, age, race, or gender-identity.

In his early years Bud worked at Althouse Chemical in Reading PA where he eventually became a plant manager. That was followed by 15 enlightening years working as the Property Manager at Kirkridge, a large non-denominational retreat center in the Appalachian Mountains in Bangor, PA. Retreatants came from all over the country to learn from internationally known speakers presenting spiritual and cutting-edge programs for a wide variety people such as the newly-divorced and LGBTQ.

Nature was one of his life-long passions. From the ages of 3 to 52 he spent summer vacation times and endless weekends at a wilderness hunting camp owned by various families in Potter County, PA. There he freely roamed the fields and streams, hunted snakes, and learned about the gifts of solitude. At a young age he felt valued and respected by the older men at camp.

During his boyhood and youth, Bud regularly climbed Mt. Penn which was just blocks from home. Again, he found forests, paths, and a place of refuge and solitude. Throughout his life he hiked the many forests and trails of Appalachia, Maine, and Black Elk Peak in South Dakota.

Another passion of Bud’s was helping others. He helped to build Shikellamy Boy Scout Camp in PA and a Catholic church in Nicaragua. In Minnesota he expanded Koinonia Methodist church camp so that it was handicap assessable and for 20 years he volunteered at Clare’s Well, a Franciscan retreat center in Annandale, MN

At age 55 Bud moved to Minnesota. For many years he canoed the Boundary Waters of Northern Minnesota and Canada, and in later years learned to embrace the culture of Lakota Sioux Native Americans.

Bud was cremated. Some his ashes will be spread at his favorite pine tree in Potter County and some in the Black Hills of South Dakota where they will be carried by the winds. Later on he and Sherry’s ashes will be spread together on the waters of Bass Lake near Annandale, Minnesota where Bud created a beautiful home for them and where they lived for 26 years.

Bud is predeceased by his father, mother, and sister, Barbara E. Powers-Jones. Bud is survived by his wife, Sherry Sweetnam of Chanhassen, MN, his son Michael Bankes (wife, Susan) of Bowmanstown, PA, and his daughter, Kathy Cyryca (husband, Jeff) of Thorn Hill, TN, as well as six grandchildren, Ben, Jesse, and Colton Vardjan, and Zachary, Joshua, and Megan Bankes. He is also survived by three great grandchildren, Kailana Vardjan, Jaxton Bankes, and Keegan Bankes.

 

Service

Bud’s Celebration of Life

September 21, 2024

Excelsior Congregational Church UCC

471 3rd St. Excelsior, MN 55331

1:00 Visitation

2:00- 4:00 Service & Refreshments

 

Memorials

Plant a Memorial Tree for Bud

CLICK HERE

or

Send a check to Excelsior Church for their Accessibility Improvement

Please, on the check’s MEMO LINE write: “Accessibility Fund”