Ralph A. Banks

     Ralph Banks, 85, passed away in Fort Myers, FL, on Thursday, August 22, 2013. He was born in Racine on January 6, 1928, the son of the late Frank and Martha (nee: Tesch) Banks. Ralph was a lifetime resident of Racine until he and his wife, Angie, moved to Estero, FL, in 2012.

    Ralph graduated from Washington Park High School. He served his country with the U.S. Army. On September 27, 1952, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, he was united in marriage to the former Angeline Graceffa. Ralph had been employed by Coast to Coast Hardware and later was a longtime employee of Lee’s True Value Hardware. He was a member of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Bonita Springs, FL, a former member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, and a longtime member of Roma Lodge. Ralph enjoyed golfing, bowling, and playing cards. His greatest love was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

    Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Angie; their son, Randell Banks, of Madison, WI, and their daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Michael Olesen, of Estero, FL; grandchildren, Benjamin Banks and Lauren Banks, both of Madison, WI, Carly (Patrick) Brady, of Orlando, FL, Kevin (Angela) Olesen, of Ft. Myers, FL, Mallory (David) Willing, of Racine, WI; great-grandchildren, Gunnar Olesen, of Ft. Myers and Sophia Brady, of Orlando; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Carol Banks, of Racine. Nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends further survive him. In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his daughter, Diane Grice, brother, Alfred Banks, and sister, Dorothy Schulz.

     His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., on Thursday, August 29th, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Terry Huebner officiating. Visitation will be in the church on Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Entombment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. In lieu of flowers memorials have been suggested to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church or the American Heart Association.