Carolyn Bannister

Longtime resident of Hale, MI., Kay Bannister, passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025. Carolyn (Kay) A. Bannister was born on November 29, 1937, to the late Donald Elton and Neva Marie (Runyan) Caton. Kay grew up like many, living on the farm growing up in the countryside. This independent upbringing would set the foundation for years to come. Kay was baptized at the Hale Methodist Church on June 24th, 1945, and graduated from Plainfield Township High School (later Hale High School) in 1956. On January 12, 1957, in Glennie, MI., she married the love of her life, Harold (Bud) Bannister. They built their family on dedication to each other and hard work. Kay continued her profession as a homemaker while taking on sewing jobs to help make ends meet. During her career as a seamstress, she would find she had a talent for sewing wedding dresses. Kay would make several wedding dresses including the dresses for both of their daughters-in-law, as well as dresses for entire wedding parties for several events. Kay also found she had a talent for knitting. She would spend hours creating themed sweaters for her grandkids. Never one to turn away a good deal on material, Kay started making quilts from these material remnants, which at times challenged the accepted color palettes.
In 1967 Kay would change professions as she and Bud purchased the Scofield Insurance office and returned to their roots in Hale. Kay would take over the management of the office while remembering many of the seasonal residents by name when they visited the office. Ever the organized one, Kay expected things to be done in a particular manner. The individual files were arranged in a specific manner and if you couldn't keep the file in that manner, you were expected to stay out of the files. After the boys left home, the insurance office was sold and eventually, Kay found work at Hale Hardware and then Bernard Lumber.
Ever the taskmaster, Kay also had a mischievous side. She and brothers, Ron and Dave, took on the duty to find the most offending birthday or "thinking of you' cards to send each other. No one was safe. Cousin Pam would avoid peas for years due to one of Kay's practical jokes. At the lumber yard there were many "pranks" between Kay, Ron, Plynn, and Mike. Kay enjoyed life and to the end was a little stinker.
Kay was predeceased by her father, Donald; Mother, Neva, and lifelong love and husband, Harold "Bud;" brother, Ron. She is survived by brother, Dave; sons, Mick (Vickie) and Joe (Sharon); grandchildren, Erin, Leigh, Robert, Joshua (Nica) and Justin (Robyn); great-grandchildren, Grayson, Jameson, Christian, Theo, and Luca.
Family will hold funeral services for Kay at Hale Methodist Church on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Visitation will be from 2:00pm – 3:00pm. Funeral at 3:00pm followed by interment at Esmond Evergreen Cemetery in Hale. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the staff of Hale Creek Manor for their extreme kindness and understanding provided to Kay during her stay at the Manor. Memorial contributions may be made to Hale Creek Manor.