Heaven help the angels, here comes Marie! A mischievous, fun-loving, colorful character who lit up every room she entered. - Your presence enriched all of our lives.
Tribute
Marie was born in Fairbury, IL, to Thelma Geraldine (Osborne) and Marvin Edward Andreae in the fall of 1946. Together with her older brother Marvin “Butch” Andreae (formerly of White Heath) and younger sister Delores “Dolly” Andreae of (Garrett, IL), they lived in Gibson City and surrounding towns. She went to school in Fairbury & Gibson City and spoke fondly of her school sweetheart, Andy.
Marie did not like her first name and did not appreciate it when anyone would call her Thelma. We lovingly teased her “Thelma Lou” which she hated.
She was an amazing mother who showered all her love onto her two biological children, Larry (& Andy) Johnson of LeRoy, IL, & John “Johnny” (& Steve Sorenson) Johnson of West Jordan, UT. They were her pride and joy, as she cherished her time together, providing numerous opportunities to make memories together.
She enriched the lives of her biological family, family by marriage, family of faith or family of choice, Marie always had enough love for everyone. Love is something she shared abundantly and received in large quantities. Over 50 years of her life were shared with four husbands (five marriages).
#1 – John F. Johnson of Farmer City, IL,
#2 – Aaron J. Niepoetter of Sandoval, IL
#3 – Aaron J. Niepoetter of Sandoval, IL
#4 – James V. Martin of Madisonville, KY
#5 – Don L. Banks of Salt Lake Valley, UT
Early in life she cared for and built a life-long relationship with her step-children; Aaron “Bud” Niepoetter of Florence, AZ, Billie (& Bobby) Ireland of Sandoval, IL, Theresa (& Tom) Ingles of Sandoval, IL, Rick (& Donna) Niepoetter of Sandoval, IL, Debbie (& Dennis) Laverty of Sandoval, IL and Dale (& Susan) Niepoetter of Albers, IL. Marie loved being a grandma and to brag about her numerous Niepoetter grandchildren.
In 1985, Marie was taught by her son, Johnny, and became of member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (The Mormons). This introduced an extended period of personal growth. In 1989, Marie moved to Utah to be with her son Johnny. Later she served in multiple church callings, including recently as a member of the Relief Society Presidency in Tuscola.
In 1997, Marie married Don Banks and she welcomed more step-children to be a part of her life. For 25 years, she enjoyed making memories together and playing with more grandchildren. She admired each for their contributions and loved her time with Bob (& Carleen) Banks of West Jordan, UT, Darin (& Sandy) Banks of West Jordan, UT, Ray (& Kathy) Banks of Montpelier, ID, Loralee (& Dennis) Leavitt of Lehi, UT, Donita Tingey & Sherry Robinson, of Centerville, UT, Kyle Laurimore of Salt Lake Valley, UT and Jocine Hoogveldt of Salt Lake Valley, UT.
One of her greatest joys, was the chance to serve an LDS mission with her husband, in the Birmingham Alabama Mission from 1998 to 2000. They were affectionately referred to as “Donny & Marie”. But not the Osmonds, as Marie couldn’t carry a tune to save her life. When singing “Love Me With All Your Heart”, it resembled a cat screeching & dog bellowing in harmony.
Marie was a country girl, who loved taking many neglected houses and turning them into charming homes. She graciously used her talents to help Johnny & Steve create masterpieces in their own home. With great pride, she would give tours, highlighting the many amazing contributions that she had made with her own hands.
But run for the hills when a sentence started with “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”. This was always followed with a request for a particular favor. Sewing, cooking & canning were regular events in her home. She took pride in having a very clean home with an exceptional attention to detail in everything she did.
Marie had gorgeous hair and enjoyed making beautiful outfits that made her sparkle for any special occasion. She would arrive looking radiant and enjoyed every opportunity to get dressed up for an elegant evening out. Likewise, she loved hosting family and friends for an evening of country cooking, Mexican Dominoes or a movie night.
She was a self-taught homemaker who became a world-class seamstress. Her skills were unmatched, and her sewing rooms were her playground. She honed her skills to become a premier bridal tailor, where she altered hundreds of elaborate wedding gowns.
She shared these skills with numerous co-workers, whether at Ducky’s Bridal in Champaign, IL, Steinmart in Sandy, UT or as the manager of a large alterations shop in downtown Salt Lake City, in the original ZCMI department store. She particularly enjoyed being the manager of alternations, where she mentored and trained her talented team of tailors from all over the world. Eventually, she was able to share and teach her sewing skills with her only biological granddaughter, Allena Johnson of LeRoy, IL.
Marie was a strong-willed woman who was going to do things her own way. She particularly enjoyed the love and friendship of life-long friends such as Linda Johnson of Frankfurt, KY, Kathy Johnson of Norris City, IL, Mary Attig of rural Fairbury, IL, Rocky & Rita Grace of Madisonville, KY, Carrol Proctor of Sandy, UT, Cheryl Kellen of Sandy, UT, and David & Colleen Weir of Raymond, IL. Thank you all for making such an impact on her life’s journey.
In 2021, Marie confidently moved back to Illinois. Here she lived in the Parkstone Villas apartment complex, in Tuscola, and loved her newfound circle of friends. Marie quickly became the de facto complex social director. Her final years were highlighted with trips to see Daniel O’Donnell or the Texas Tenors perform, as well as her passion for genealogy and reading.
Her life was a journey packed full, making the most of every day. Marie lived life to the fullest and would wring every hour out of every day. She would be awake until the early hours of the morning, completing her latest project.
Her final resting place will be with her parents in rural Anchor, Illinois. She asked to have her ashes placed inside her mother’s antique ceramic cookie jar, which looks like a doll. Complete with the handmade bonnet and dress she made for her beloved heirloom.
Marie was a fighter, who fought cancer, enduring over five rounds of various chemo therapies, for over 17 years. Her battle ended, when she was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in her body and brain in March of 2024. In just over 100 days of being diagnosed with three legions in her brain, Marie peacefully exited this world, at her home, with family & friends caring for her around the clock, and enthusiastically began her next adventure.
We are extremely grateful for the extensive support provided by David Weir as she went in and out of numerous hospitals. We cannot forget to mention her friends Ruby, Pam & numerous neighbors at Parkstone Villas along with the local church members of the LDS Tuscola Branch who came by to shower their love upon Marie as she peacefully completed her 77 year journey, worthy of a Hollywood movie.
Please join us as we celebrate an amazing woman who brought love and joy to so many.
#1 - Utah Celebration of Life on Sunday, September 8th at 5:00pm
#2 - Tuscola Celebration of Life on Friday, September 20th at 6:00pm
#3 - Illinois Funeral Service, Burial & Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 21 at 12:00 noon
Details will be provided on the Celebrations tab here, on Marie's Facebook page, family texts or ask questions/suggestions at mariebanksut@gmail.com.
Marie's Journey
(Years later it was confirmed to be Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma)
Gallery
Memory Wall
Family Tree
Wilde
Bob, Darin, Ray & Kyle
Bob, Darin, Ray & Kyle
Favorites
Celebrations
