Louise F. Banta, 86, of Topeka, passed away on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka. She was born June 26, 1926 in Schenectady, NY, the daughter of Charles R. and Hazel Coager Finn. She has resided in Topeka since 1973.
A graduate of Albany Business College, she was employed by the Thomas Edison Storage Battery Company in Menlo Park, NJ, Grumman Aircraft Co. in Bethpage, NY and the Ortho Pharmaceutical Co. in Long Island, NY. Louise was also employed by Fleming Foods in Topeka and served as a secretary in the Kansas Legislature, including for the Kansas Senate Majority Leader, Norman Garr for many years. After retirement, she volunteered for the Topeka Public Library.
Louise married Lucas V. Banta on May 29, 1949 in Schenectady, NY. He preceded her in death in 1999. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Charles R. Finn and Bette F. Mauro. Survivors include one daughter, Nancy J. Banta of Topeka, two nieces, Tina M. Audino of Clifton Park, NY and Michele M. Tartaglia of Margate, NJ and two grand-nieces, Monique Audino and Nicolette Audino, both of Schenectady, NY.
Graveside inurnment services will be held in Colony, NY at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Helping Hands Humane Society, 2625 NW Rochester Rd., Topeka, KS 66617 (hhhstopeka.org) or to the Kansas Children's Discovery Center, 4400 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604 (kansasdiscovery.org) Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel is assisting the family.