Rosalie Mae Banta, 91, passed away at Galichia Hospital on December 25, 2011. She was a long time Wichita resident, and a loving wife and mother. Visitation with the family will be Wendesday, December 28, 2011 from 6-8 PM at Downing and Lahey Mortuary East, Wichita. Funeral service will be Friday, December 30, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapels, Iola, Kansas. Chaplain Lloyd W. Houk will officiate. Burial will follow in the Bronson Cemetery. Rosalie was born December 5, 1920 on a farm near Redfield, Kansas, one of seven children of Willard and Bertha Smith. She graduated from Moran High School and married Bennett (Ben) Roy Banta on November 19, 1938. Ben served in the Army during WWII and saw his first action on Omaha Beach. After the war they lived in Camden, New Jersey with Ben working for Iowa Soap Company. They moved to Wichita in 1951 and Ben worked at Beech Aircraft until retirement in 1981. After retirement they enjoyed traveling and spending time with their grandchildren and relatives. Ben preceded her in death in 1993. She is survived by her children, Alan D. Banta (Amy) Wichita, KS, Bennett R. Banta (Judy) Phoenix, AZ; sisters, Jean Jackson, Fort Scott, KS, Sue Garrison, San Antonio, TX. She also leaves grandchildren Kris Steinkritz, Kim Hakes, Peter Espinosa and Luke Banta along with seven great-grandchildren. Thanks to her many friends at Chaucer Estates and especially to her very good friend Lynnie Killen. She celebrated Christmas day with Christ and will always be remembered and loved. Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association, 8630 E. 32nd Court North, Wichita, KS 67226-4007. Online condolences for the family may be left on this website, www.iolafuneral.com.