Marian E. Banks, 84 years, of Park Ridge, IL, and Sturgeon Bay, WI, passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at her home in Door County. She was a strong, independent, intelligent woman who touched countless lives with her caring nature and unflinching positive outlook.

Born January 3, 1929 in Chicago to the late Fred and Edith (Lindberg) Erickson, she had many childhood pals that became lifelong friends. Marian graduated from Taft High School in 1946 and went on to work her way through college at Northwestern, Oklahoma College for Women, and the University of Illinois, where she completed her degree in Chemistry and Education.

Marian passed on her scientific inquisitiveness and her open-mindedness to thousands of 7th and 8th graders at Lincoln Jr. High School in Park Ridge, where she taught for 20 years. Prior to Lincoln, she also taught in Baltimore, MD and Des Plaines, IL.

On February 3, 1951 she married Charles E. Banks in a simple ceremony in Chicago that led to over 62 years of a fun-filled, loving and caring marriage. Together, they traveled, appreciated nature, welcomed new experiences, participated in their book club, and wholeheartedly parented four independent children. For the past 50 years they summered in Door County, often entertaining family and friends at their beloved lakeside cottage.

Marian enjoyed watching the lake and its many changes, but she also loved swimming and body surfing in the water. When she wasn't at the lake, Marian "vacationed" by working at archeological digs. Marian was known for always full of energy and, most of all, she expended it by taking care of others.