RAPID CITY - Arlene Ann Banning passed away peacefully the evening of Monday, June 9, 2008, surrounded by family in Rapid City. She was born Jan. 25, 1931, in Thunderhawk, ND, to Melvin and Laura (Wallace) Knutson and raised on a farm in Adams County, ND. She attended Lemmon High School, graduating in 1948. Following high school, Arlene attended and graduated from Rasmussen Practical Business School in St. Paul, MN. Early in her career she worked for the Bureau of Reclamation and as a legal secretary. Arlene married LaVern C. Banning Oct. 15, 1951, left the work force to raise her four children and returned to work as a secretary and office manager for Modern Woodmen for 13 years. Arlene's interests included genealogy, crocheting and needlework. She traveled extensively to gather family information, and enjoyed baking and afghan making for her children and grandchildren. Consistently putting others first, she was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church for 48 years. Arlene was active in the congregation - attending circle, serving church receptions and as a Sunday School teacher. Arlene was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her husband of 56 years LaVern Banning, Rapid City; her children, Susan (Steve) Clark, Midland, MI, Russell (Judy) Banning, Conroe, TX, Ronald (Jill) Banning, Albuquerque, NM, and Randall (Diane) Banning, Powell, WY; eight grandchildren; her brother, Dean Knutson, Rapid City; and her sister, Lois (Merle) Blosmo, Spearfish. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 13, at Calvary Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Deb Hanna and the Rev. Dwight Stensgaard officiating. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. A memorial has been established for the Alzheimer's Association.