LaVern Banning, 95 passed away August 25, 2023, at the Monument Hospice House, Rapid City, S.D.

He was Born in Mott North Dakota on September 7, 1927, to John P. Banning and Gertrude West Banning.  In 1945 he joined the Army, serving as a mechanic in the motor pool driving troops up the Colorado Rockies to train as ski troopers.

He and Arlene Knutson were married on October 15, 1951.  Job transfers with Barber Transportation took them to Aberdeen, SD and to Rapid City in 1960 where they raised their family.  Vern's career as a professional over the road truck driver spanned 31 years and 2.5 million accident-free miles.  Over the years, especially before CB radios and cell phones, he stopped to help many stranded motorists.

Vern was passionate about growing tomatoes and sharing them with others.  His neighbors knew that they were always welcome to stop in.  He loved to fish, enjoying annual trips to Oahe Reservoir with his fishing buddy, Larry Dahlstrom.  An ongoing cribbage tournament with his friends was legendary.

A longtime member of Calvary Lutheran Church, he was part of the men's coffee group, Sunday morning coffee and doughnuts, and the Wednesday night suppers where he met the families that have supported and loved him like their own.

Most days, whether for coffee or breakfast, Vern could be found at the Millstone Family Restaurant.  For over fifty years, the staff have been friends and family to him.

He was preceded in death by his wife Arlene, his parents and by his siblings Duane Banning, Doris Thoreen, John Richard Banning, Mary Reno, Lowell Robert Banning, Pauline Knutson and Barbara Banning.

LaVern is survived his children Susan (Steven) Clark; Russell (Vickie) Banning; Ronald (Jill) Banning; Randall (Diane) Banning; grandchildren: Sara Kolacny, Tyler Banning, Karen Bovid, Amy Puth, Matthew Banning, Samuel Banning, Ross Davidson and Beth Davidson; great grandchildren: Natasha Banning, Charles Banning, Pine Kolacny, Brynne Puth, Leia Puth, Michael Bovid and Zachary Bovid; and brother, Wesley Banning.

Visitation will be from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. Thursday, September 7, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home, 2700 Jackson Boulevard, Rapid City, SD  57702.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 8, at Calvary Lutheran Church, 5311 Sheridan Lake Road, Rapid City, SD  57702.

Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery, 20901 Pleasant Valley Dr., Sturgis, SD 57785. Full military honors will be provided by the South Dakota Army National Guard and the VFW Post 1273 Honor Guard.