Sandra Elaine Banta

Our dear, sweet Mother - Sandra E. (Sandi) Hollars Banta passed on to her reward early Tuesday morning, April 9, 2024, at her home in Clearfield, Utah at the age of 85. Sandi was born in Edwardsport, Indiana on August 8, 1938, the 6th child of Glenmere Hollars and Eliza Emmaline Lewis.

Sandi married Charles A. Banta on March 15, 1957, in Vincennes, Indiana. They divorced in 1984 and mom never remarried.

Mom was not in the Military, but she might as well have been since she faithfully followed Dad from base to base during his 26 years in the U.S. Marines and U.S. Army. They lived in Indiana, North Carolina, Maryland, Alaska, Hawaii, Illinois, and finally Utah. She also spent a year alone with her 2 oldest children in Indiana while Charles served our country in Vietnam from 1967-1968 and a year in Utah while he served in Korea in 1976-1977 with all 3 children. 

Mom was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since she was baptized at the age of 8. She served in many callings, but her favorite was always when she was able to work in the Primary – oh how she loved the little children! Mom was adamant that she always held a Temple Recommend – and held one even the day she passed away. 

Mom enjoyed reading and crocheting (using that itsy, bitsy thread!) and made the most beautiful doilies, square dancing with Charles – and even made there matching outfits, bowling with her family and lately, playing Solitaire and Mahjong on her computer or phone – anytime or anywhere!

Mom was also an avid genealogy researcher and traced both her lineage and the Banta family lineage back to at least the 1500’s – I lost count how far back she ended up going! She was also asked to be a name extractor and during the time she served in that calling extracted over 2,000,000 names. 

Mom is survived by her children, Jay Dee Banta, Katherine Banta Chadaz (Garth), and Kaylani Banta Garcia (Tomas – ex). She is also survived by a sister-in-law Brenda Banta Gregones. Also her grandchildren Leon Lavender (Cassandra), Chelsey Johnson, Brady Johnson (Devin Rae), Cristiana Garcia, Cassie Chadaz Morse (Braxton), Jaycee Garcia Weiss (Chanse) and Chase Chadaz; Great Grandchildren: Joey Lavender, Sierra Lavender, Liam Lavender, Ezlynn Lavender, Moana Garcia, Novella Weiss, Monico Garcia, Oskissay Johnson and 1 new one due in July; and Great-Great Grandchildren: Adaline Jane Marie Watts and Quinn Vivian Watts. 

She is preceded in death by both of her parents, both of her parents-in-law, her ex- Charles A. Banta, brother-in-law Richard Banta, sister-in-law Carole Banta and brother-in-law William Gregones. She is also preceded by her brothers: Glen Darrell and Delbert Lewis Hollars and sisters: Delores Gene Hollars, Rita Jo Hollars McEwen, Brenda Joyce Hollars, and Karen June Hollars Emery. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to The American Diabetes Foundation or The National Kidney Foundation. 

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 11:00 am at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 North Fairfield Rd, Layton, Utah. Friends may visit with family Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 9:45 to10:45 a.m. at the mortuary.

Internment, immediately following at Lindquist Memorial Park at Layton.