Caryl Joan (Davis) Banks

Caryl Joan Banks, 89, of rural Akron, IA, passed away with family by her side, on Saturday August 9, 2025, at her daughter’s home following a lengthy illness.

Celebration of life for both Caryl and her husband, Joe, will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron. Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Akron. Visitation with the family present will be from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday. Please feel free to dress casually. It is what Caryl and Joe would want. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com. 

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be sent to the Akron Opera House.

Caryl was born on October 25, 1935 in Sioux City, IA to Walter “Red” Davis and Evah McCorkell Davis. She graduated with high honors from Central High School in Sioux City in 1954. She married Joe Banks on September 24, 1955 in Sioux City. The couple lived in Sioux City for several years prior to relocating to rural Akron in the early 1960’s. Caryl was a stay-at-home wife and mother. In addition to lovingly supporting her family, she was a religious education instructor for St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and a volunteer with the Bell Choir and Wheelchair Square Dancing group at the Akron Care Center. Caryl’s pastimes included reading, word puzzles, creative writing and playing golf. She & Joe enjoyed thoroughbred horse racing and owned a number of racehorses through the years.

Caryl was preceded in death by her husband (June 27, 2025), her parents, her brother, William “Bill” Davis and a step-grandson Tyler Dawdy.

Caryl is survived by her children: Jeff (Linda) Banks of Hawarden, SD, Julie (Hugh) Zavadil of Topeka, KS, Jerry Banks of McCook Lake, SD, Jon Banks (and special friend Judy) of Akron, IA, Jodi (Dave) Basart of rural Akron, IA, and Jamie (Jodi) Banks of rural Akron, IA; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.