Cecilia Kay (Banta) Adam
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Private family graveside service for Cecilia Kay (Banta) Adam, 84, Lawrence will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Lawrence on Wednesday October 11th, 2023. Cecilia passed away Saturday, October 7, 2023 at LMH Health, after a short illness.
Cecilia was born on July 21, 1939 in Springfield, MO, the daughter of Cecil and Lucille (Cochran) Banta. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Rosalee Raukheim
She worked at the University State Bank from 1968 – 1985, then UMB from 1985 – 2000. She was the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Capital City Bank from 2000 until she retired in 2014.
She graduated from Nevada Missouri high school in 1957. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority at William Jewell College and Missouri Girls State when in high school. She was a member of the First Baptist Church. She taught American Banking Association classes, as well as being a Junior Achievement mentor. She was active in the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, as well as serving on the United State Treasury Board helping shape Federal banking regulations in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
She met Michael L Adam when her family moved from Springfield, Missouri, to Nevada, Missouri at age 12, and they married on June 26th, 1960 in Kansas City, Missouri and remained married until his death, on December 29th, 1986.
Survivors include her two daughters, Michelle Adam (of the home), and Colette Rittenour of Tempe Arizona. She had four grandchildren, Damon Hanshaw, and Hunter Adam (fiancée Katherine)), whom she helped raise from the time that they were one and three years old, and Lauren Rittenour and Ian Rittenour.
She was gifted at cross stitching, and cross stitched many pieces for friends and family, including quilts and wall hangings. She enjoyed traveling, and as Damon and Hunter grew up, she found happiness in taking them on trips to see the United States, to places that were both educational and carefree (our favorite will always be Disney World and Sturgis). Her one regret is that she never made it to all 50 states, but she did see 46 in her lifetime.
The family suggests memorials in Cecilia’s name to Jr. Achievement of Douglas County and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Colette and Michelle…
My deepest prayer’s and condolences for you both. ❤️❤️. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a fine person and woman. A good mom and friend. I’m sorry for your loss; but remember all of the laughter and smiles and support she gave you. Mike Martin
My sympathies to your family. Your mom gave me my first job right out of high school as a Proof Operator at University State Bank. I will forever be grateful to her for that! She was a wonderful person and a great mentor! Our USB Family was an amazing group of people, led by her!
My prayers are with your family on the loss of your mother and grandmother. I had the good fortune to work with her UMB and spend time with her at church. We enjoyed many car rides to work together when the weather was treacherous. She was a kind and loving person, and I will miss her friendly smile.
Michelle and Colette: we were out of town and are so sorry to learn of your loss. Cecilia was so supportive of me when I joined University State Bank in 1983.
It was a privilege to work with her and have her as our friend. Her professionalism and friendliness were the hallmark of her long and successful career. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
My heart goes out to you for your loss of such a beautiful woman. I prepare prayer requests for the Joy Class at Foothills Baptist in Phoenix, AZ and she was so faithful about sending encouraging email. Praise God you can rejoice in the fact that she’s now residing in such a heavenly home with a lovely new body and no more pain or suffering and waiting to welcome you one day to her new home!