Joan Banister

Joan Delphine Tobin Banister, 93, Topeka, Kansas, passed away in her sleep on August 1, 2025, at Brewster Place in Topeka. Joan was born November 28, 1931, in Emporia, Kansas, the daughter of James Gabriel and Ruby Ellen Ivet Tobin. She graduated from Emporia High School and attended Emporia State Teachers College, where she was a member of the Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority. Joan married Robert Dean Banister on November 22, 1951, in Emporia and shared 63 years of marriage. Joan worked various office finance jobs, but her true calling was raising her four children, helping with grandchildren whenever asked, and being a first-class homemaker. Her love of snacks and sweets was apparent with candy bars in “hidden” Tupperware, fun size M&Ms in case grandchildren stopped by, and white cheddar cheese corn puffs. What she leaves us is more than memories - it's also her spiritual legacy. We recently found her ancestry book that asked, “what one piece of advice you’d like to pass down to others?” She wrote, “Obey The Commandments! And the world would be a better place to live if we don’t always do what’s Easiest but do what’s Best!” Joan was proud to be of Irish heritage and often added an Irish blessing to birthday cards. She was a devout Catholic and believed it important to introduce Catholic faith and values at a young age. Joan was an original member of Christ the King Catholic Church of Topeka and enjoyed years of friendships with members of Sunny Elevation Extension Unit (Sunny Gals) and the Red Hat Club. Survivors include her children, Ron (Therese) Banister, Wildwood, Missouri, Jerry (Lorrie) Banister, Topeka, Julie Hoppas, Topeka, Robert (Stacey) Banister, Linwood, Kansas; ten grandchildren, Paul (Kisha) Banister, Katie (Eric Smith) Banister, Wendy (Garrett) Hines, Christy (Brian) Bellifemine, Alicia Banister, Jason (Sheri) Hoppas, Bryan (Michelle) Hoppas, Derek Hoppas, John (Cheyene) Banister, Hayley (Jacob) Keck; seventeen great-grandchildren, Henry, Annabelle, Liam, Max, Dylan, Dalton, Dayton, Adison, Aiden, Sam, Xavier, Sophia, Nick, McKinley, Bennett, Charlotte, and Hadley; and her sister, Mary Johnson of Emporia. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; son-in-law, Bob Hoppas; her parents; and siblings, George "Ed" Tobin, James Tobin, Sister Mary Jacqueline Tobin, and Sarah Hanes. Joan and her family greatly appreciated the dedicated caregivers in all areas of Brewster Place of Topeka and the personal support from Midland Care Hospice. Joan liked bright colors, and she’d love if everyone wore bright colors to her service. Visitation will be 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Friday August 8, 2025 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2700 SE Virginia Avenue, Topeka KS 66605, where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Private burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Brewster Place Foundation or Midland Care Hospice, and sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Joan Banister

November 28, 1931 - August 1, 2025