Neil Bankson

Neil W. Bankson, 84, of Central City, formerly of Hordville, died Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 at St. Francis Medical Center in Grand Island. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Fridhem Lutheran Church in Hordville, with Pastor Ruth Boettcher officiating. Visitation was held on Friday, Aug. 14 from 5-7 p.m. at Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City. Interment was 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, on Oct. 31, 1935 to Everett and Ella (Breyer) Bankson. Neil attended School District 94, graduated from Hordville High School in 1954, and attended one semester at Luther College in Wahoo. He enlisted in the United States Army on Jan. 31, 1957. He attended Basic Training in Fort Ord, Calif. 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 Dec. 9, 1958 and honorably discharged from the Army Reserves on Dec. 31, 1962.

Neil and Joan (Huff) were married on June 7, 1959 at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Gretna. 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 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; one son Bill and Laurie Bankson of Columbus; one daughter Jane and John Davis of Hershey; six grandchildren: Jill Bankson Lenners, Tracie Bankson Solomon, Ashley Bankson Pierce, Joey Davis, Jennifer Davis, and Jason Davis; eight 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; Marvin and Janice Bankson of Polk; three sisters Doris Benner of Central City, Luella Ernst of Wahoo, and Betty and Don George of Sutton; sister-inlaws Dolores Bankson of Lincoln and Patti Huff of Gretna; 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; brotherin-laws Jerry Reeves, Harry Steimle, Charles Benner and William Ernst.