Shirley Bannes was born on September 4, 1931 and passed away peacefully on October 10, 2024 in the memory care unit of Addington Place of Lee’s Summit, MO.  She was a beloved daughter, wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Shirley was born in Chicago, and was the 5th of 6 children born to her parents, Charles and Amelia Zintak.  In May 1951, Shirley married Raymond Leehaug, and together they raised 5 children, all born between December, 1952 and May, 1958.  Shirley was a stay-at-home mom until her youngest child was of school age.  At that time, she worked as a school secretary until retirement in the early 80's. 

Shirley and Ray were abundantly proud of and close to their five kids.  Sadly, Ray passed away in 1974 at the age of 48.  Also in 1974 Shirley married her second husband, John Bannes, who was a school superintendent.  During the 35+ years that Shirley and John were married (until his passing in December, 2009), they enjoyed extensive traveling.  They traveled to all areas of the US, and to Russia, China, Europe, Africa, Australia, Mexico, and Canada.

Upon retirement, Shirley and John settled in a lake house in Vulcan, near Iron Mountain, Michigan.  They enjoyed all that the UP had to offer:  snowmobiling and skiing in the winter, and fishing, golfing, and boating in the summer.  They loved to have all of their kids and grandkids come up to visit.

Shirley is survived by her 4 daughters:  Gale Krieger (Mel) and Dale Canino (Jim) of Lee’s Summit, MO, Terry Rusin (Bill) of Denver, NC, and Janet Spears (Bill) of Nebo, NC.  She also leaves behind a large extended family that includes 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.  We find comfort in knowing that she will be reunited in the afterlife with all of her loved ones who pre-deceased her. These include Daryl Leehaug (her son), Raymond Leehaug (her first husband&father of her 5 children), John Bannes (her second husband of 35 years), and all 5 of her siblings:  Loretta Zintak Flohr, Chester Zintak, Laverne Zintak Bambrick, Allen Zintak, and Dennis Zintak.

A gathering of family will be held at a later date to celebrate the life of this remarkable woman.  Donations in Shirley's memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer's Association.

Shirley will be sincerely missed, forever loved and always remembered.