Neil W. Bankson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Neil W. Bankson, 84, of Central City, Nebraska formerly of Hordville, died Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Hordville, with Pastor Ruth Boettcher officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 14th from 5-7 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Interment will be held at the Hordville Cemetery in Hordville. Memorials are suggested to the Fridhem Lutheran Church and condolences can be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com. Neil was born on the family homestead in Hordville, Nebraska on October 31, 1935 to Everett and Ella (Breyer) Bankson . Neil attended School District 94, graduated from Hordville High School in 1954, and attended 1 semester at Luther College in Wahoo, Nebraska. He enlisted in the United States Army on January 31, 1957. He attended Basic Training in Fort Ord, California. He deployed to the Far East in July of 1957 and served in Korea until October of 1958. He served as a Clerk-Typist, service company, 1st Calvary Division, 19th Infantry Regiment. He was honorably discharged from active duty on December 9, 1958 and honorably discharged from the Army Reserves on December 31, 1962. Neil and Joan (Huff) were married on June 7, 1959 at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Gretna, Nebraska. To this union, two children were born. The Banksons celebrated their 61st Wedding Anniversary this year. Neil was a farmer, ran a stack mover and worked for York County as a maintainer operator. He retired in February of 2009. Neil’s hobbies were flying and restoring old tractors. He earned his private pilot’s license on July 21, 1981. Neil restored a 1949 Farmall H and a 1952 Farmall C which he and his son Bill drove in the Guinness World Record of the largest Parade of Classic Tractors by RFD-TV in Grand Island, Nebraska during the Nebraska State Fair in 2012. He was an active member of Fridhem Lutheran Church in Hordville, served on the church council and on the Cemetery Board. He was a past member of the Flying Farmers and a member of the Lone Tree Antique Tractor Club. Neil enjoyed being with his family and watching his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren’s activities. His joys were farming, flying, visiting with friends, and his morning coffee group. No one was a stranger to Neil. He is survived by his wife- Joan of Central City, NE; one son- Bill and Laurie Bankson of Columbus, NE; one daughter- Jane and John Davis of Hershey, NE; 6 grandchildren; Jill Bankson Lenners, Tracie Bankson Solomon, Ashley Bankson Pierce, Joey Davis, Jennifer Davis, and Jason Davis; 8 great grandchildren- Cole Schank, Ella Schank, Courtney Lenners, Nicole Lenners, William Solomon, Gavin Solomon, Mason Pierce, and Blake Pierce; two brothers- Dean and Karen Bankson of Central City, NE; Marvin and Janice Bankson of Polk, NE; three sisters- Doris Benner of Central City, NE, Luella Ernst of Wahoo, NE, and Betty and Don George of Sutton, NE; sister in laws- Dolores Bankson of Lincoln, NE and Patti Huff of Gretna, NE; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers- Eldon and Don; one sister- Elvera Steimle; sister in law- Donna Bankson; brother in laws- Jerry Reeves, Harry Steimle, Charles Benner, and William Ernst.

Neil W. Bankson

October 31, 1935 - August 11, 2020