Martha Ann Banta
Sept 1, 1929 - Sep 17, 2016
It is with heavy hearts we mournfully announce the passing of Martha Banta (nee Stalker).
Martha is survived by her spouse Melvin of Smithers, BC, Son Wayne (w.Janet) of Grande Prairie, her twin sister Shirley (h.Hugh) Henderson of Whitehorse Yk., and brother Donald (w.Fay) Stalker of Edmonton Alberta and one grandchild.
She is predeceased by her parents, brother Murray (w.Evelyn) Stalker and Sister Francis Scott.
Martha Graduated from the Central School of Practical Nurses in 1949 at the age of twenty. She started her nursing practice at Wrinch Memorial Hospital in Hazelton, where she first met her husband to be Melvin Banta. She married
him some twenty years later. During which she worked in Northern BC, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories til coming to work at the Bulkley Valley Regional Hospital. She and Mel rekindled their relationship and were married on
Match 21st, 1969. The couple were blessed with their only son Wayne a year later. Martha continued nursing in Smithers up until her retirement on or about 1985. While slowing down from
nursing she started driving school bus for SD54, doing this full time for about six years. Retiring completely in 1980 to spend more time with her husband and family.