Carolyn H Banwart

Carolyn (Kay) Banwart was born on April 7, 1939 to Alvia and Emma (Metzger) Meyer. She grew up in a large family of ten children on a farm near Lester, Iowa. After a career in administration at the Sioux Falls stockyards in Sioux Falls, SD, she married Robert D. Banwart in the middle of a blizzard on February 24, 1962 and moved to West Bend, Iowa. Upon the proposal, Bob’s mother-in-law to-be advised him that “he may not always have food but would have flowers on the table”. Guided by a strong faith, Kay made a public declaration through adult baptism, a milestone that brought immense peace and purpose to her later years.

She was a creative, energetic soul who loved to have fun. Her hobbies included flower gardening, reading voraciously, collecting & refinishing antiques, and working with the WB Historical Society. Her houseplant “rescue” services were widely known in and around the West Bend area.

In 1976, Kay and Bob bought a house at Lost Island and enjoyed years of vacation time there along with the Eli Grimm Jr. family as well as the Anliker and Frieden families. This remains a gathering place for these families.

Kay’s children and grandchildren were her greatest joy, and she delighted in getting to know them all individually and attending their activities when possible. Her children and grandchildren have many stories of the antics of their mother/grandmother and her zest for life.

Left to cherish Kay’s memory are her husband of 64 years, Robert Banwart, her children: Tim (Pam) Banwart of Sioux Falls, SD; Larry (Beth) Banwart of Polk City, Iowa; Liz (Doug) Worth of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; Ginny Banwart of Waukee, Iowa; and Bill (Rhonda) Banwart of Waukee, Iowa; and grandchildren: Chelsea (Kalen) Moodie, Bailey (Zach) Dirksen, Robert Banwart, Matthew Banwart, Chris Banwart, Justin Worth, Alex (Westin) Worth, Michael Worth, Daniel Worth, Zach Nelson, Madison (Jon) Koester, Cassidy Banwart, Abby Banwart.

Friends and family may pay their respects on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 from 4-7 pm at Ernst Funeral Home in Waukee, Iowa. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 10:30 am, also at the funeral home. A light luncheon will follow the memorial. A graveside service will be held at a later date at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.

Memorials in Kay’s name can be made to Grace Baptist Church of Emmetsburg, Iowa; West Bend Historical Society; or Avera Behavioral Health Foundation, Sioux Falls, SD.