Richard "Rich" R. Banick

Richard “Rich” Banick, 66 year old resident of Ft. Ripley, MN, passed away from a medical condition on September 9, 2023 at his residence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM on Friday, September 15, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie, MN with Father David Maciej officiating. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 AM on Friday at Holy Family Catholic Church. Rosary will be at 9:30 AM. Caring for Rich and his family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN. Rich was born on January 4, 1957 in Little Falls, MN to Raymond and Dorothy (Matlock) Banick. Rich was baptized and confirmed at Holy Family Parish in Belle Prairie. He graduated from Little Falls Community High School in 1975. He then attended Alexandria Vo-Tech for Truck Driving. After that he joined the US Army and was a bus driver in Maryland driving Soldiers to the Walter Reed Hospital. He later was a member of the Army National Guard for 3 years. In 1982 he married Patti (Rahn) Banick and spent 41 years with his lifelong wife/best friend. In 2019 he retired from Lake State Industries/Infinity Metal after 30 plus years working as a truck driver and sheet metal specialist. Rich enjoyed his small-time farming life, his cows, cutting wood, collection of Corvettes, John Deere tractors, driving around in his limousine, and the peace and quiet of his country home. He loved to hang out in his Man Cave in his cowboy boots and hat and relax and enjoy a few beers with family/friends. Rich loved talking politics and was a big fan of Trump and he wasn’t afraid to let everyone know it! Though all of these things brought him joy, the greatest joy in his life was his family. In 2003, their daughter Jessi passed at the age of 16. He and Patti struggled immensely with their loss and Rich would often tell us he just wants to be with Jessi - now we all know that God has answered his years of prayers – he is with Jessi. Rich is survived by his wife and life-long friend, Patti Banick; son, John Banick; parents, Ray and Dorothy (Matlock) Banick; brothers, Dan Banick, Tom and Laura (Otremba) Banick; sisters, Janelle (Tim) Rieland, Marie (Kevin) Festler. Rich was preceded in death by his daughter, Jessi Banick.

Tributes

Richard "Rich" R. Banick

January 4, 1957 - September 9, 2023