Donald Banowetz Sr.

Donald John Banowetz Sr., age 85, a native of Preston, IA, and resident of Houma, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2019, surrounded by his loved ones.

Friends and relatives are invited to a visitation at Chauvin Funeral Home on Thursday, December 26, 2019 from 5:00pm until 9:00pm. Visitation will resume at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral on Friday, December 27, 2019 from 9:00am until service time. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00am. Burial will follow at St. Bridget Catholic Cemetery in Schriever.

Donald is survived by his wife of 62 years, Anna M. Duet Banowetz; children, Donald Banowetz Jr. and wife Jamey, Kay Banowetz Kilburg and husband Martin, Susan Banowetz Snyder and husband Jerome, Linda Banowetz Hemphill and husband Lance, Sandra Banowetz LaRose and husband Paul; brothers, Raymond Banowetz and wife Pat, Norbert Banowetz; sisters, Clara Hermiston, Sister Dolores Banowetz OSF; brother-in-law, Kenneth J. Bergeron; sisters-in-law, Ellen Theriot Duet, Betty Duet Melancon, Iris Duet Bergeron, Sally Kilburg Banowetz; grandchildren, Alicia (Chuck) Vannatta, Don (Jamie) Banowetz III, Melissa (Seth) Broussard, Adam Braden, Matthew (Eileen) Kilburg, Emily (Justin) Treadway, Erin Snyder, Jennifer Snyder, Dustin (Melody Matherne) Britt, Erica Burgess, Allison LaRose, Michael LaRose, Anna Claire LaRose; 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Wilhelmina Banowetz; brothers, Leo, Victor, Lawrence, Vincent, Leonard, Walter, Paul, and Theodore Banowetz; sisters, Elizabeth McDevitt, Gertrude Daehler; brothers-in-law, Joseph McDevitt, Walter Daehler, Ray Hermiston, Charles Duet Jr., Kenneth Melancon, David Duet Sr.; sisters-in-law, Virginia Cortez Duet and Della, Elizabeth, Dolores, Alma, Celina, Rita, and Miriam Banowetz.

Donald was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who were blessed to know him.  He served in the US Air Force as an Airman First Class during the Korean War and was honored and proud to serve his country.  He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Houma Council 1317 and Past Faithful Navigator of the AJ Caillouet 4^th Degree Assembly.  He was a parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Church and was a faithful servant of the church throughout his years.  He enjoyed his work with the Knights of Columbus and served as an officer for many years.  He volunteered at St. Francis and Vandebilt throughout his children’s school years and was honored to be inducted into the Vandebilt Hall of Fame in 2011.

Donald was a farm boy at heart and loved his home state of Iowa.  He returned home frequently to visit his family and friends and kept up with the local daily news on KMAQ.  He was a fixture of the downtown Houma community as a business owner for 20 years.  He was the owner and operator of Donald’s of Houma, Inc., a local department store, and enjoyed serving people every day.  His work ethic and integrity were unparalleled. He enjoyed carpentry work and could build just about anything, and he loved gardening and traveling with his wife, children, and grandchildren.  He always had a great sense of humor, even until his last day.  He was a kind, patient, gentle and giving man who was totally devoted to his faith, family, and friends.

The family would like extend its deepest appreciation to the many compassionate healthcare providers who assisted him with his illnesses over the past 10 years.

Chauvin Funeral Home and Crematory, INC. is honored to serve The Banowetz Family.