Banowetz family establishes memorial fund to create a lasting legacy
DeWitt resident Sally Banowetz passed away in late August, but her memory will live on through a memorial endowment fund in her honor.
Sally and her husband, Paul, had 15 children, 40 grandchildren and 50 great grandchildren. The Banowetz family decided to create a lasting legacy to honor their parents by establishing the Paul and Sally Banowetz Family Scholarship Fund with the LincolnWay Community Foundation. Memorial gifts to the endowment fund are invested and will provide an annual source of funding for a scholarship — forever.
Sally was an avid quilter and baker. She and her husband loved square dancing and attended many state and national square dance conventions. Sally enjoyed family motorcycle rides and playing cards. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Joseph Guild and St. Joseph Altar and Rosary Society.
When growing up, Sally and Paul only received an 8th grade education from the small, country schools they attended, but later in life went back to school as adults to get their high school diplomas. Education was very important to them and this passion will live on through the impact made by their scholarship memorial fund.
“Our mother was such a loving person and she devoted her entire life to caring for others, including her large family, assisting the elderly and providing hospice care to end-of-life patients. What better way to honor her and our father than to establish a scholarship fund in their name to help others in our community who are in need,” said Leon Banowetz. “Growing up we relied on scholarships to help fund our educations and now being able to pay it forward to future generations is a tremendous gift.”
The Banowetz family joins many other DeWitt-area residents who have chosen to honor the lives of people they care about through a memorial fund.
“When a loved one passes away, many families and friends wish to create a lasting legacy in honor of his or her life. Making the decision of which charity or charities should receive donations can be daunting during this time of loss,” said Pat Henricksen, executive director of the LincolnWay Community Foundation. “A memorial endowment fund at the Community Foundation gives you time to consider how best to represent your loved one’s passions and interests.”
A memorial endowment can singularly carry out the legacy of the person who has passed, such as by supporting causes such as education, the arts, a library or brain health awareness. It provides ongoing connection and comfort as the family remembers their loved one through ongoing gifts to the endowment, on special occasions like birthdays and holidays, or at any time. Memorial endowment gifts of $50 or more are eligible for the 25% Endow Iowa state tax credit.
Donations may be made online in Sally’s memory to the Paul & Sally Banowetz Family Scholarship Fund at dbqfoundation.org/banowetz or by mail to Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, 700 Locust Street, Suite 195, Dubuque, IA 52001.
If your family is interested in starting a memorial endowment for a loved one
or if your organization would like to know more about building an endowment through memorials, visit dbqfoundation.org/memorial or contact Henricksen at 563-659-5039 or pkmh34fb@gmail.com.