Karen Bankey

Karen Marlene Bankey, 86, of Napoleon, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Woodhaven Health Care under the care of Hospice of Northwest Ohio, with her family by her side.

Born on September 17, 1939, in Defiance, Ohio, to Harvey and Edna (Burill) Rettig, Karen graduated from Holgate High School in 1957. She met Gene Bankey at the Henry County Fair, and the two married on June 8, 1957. For many years she devoted herself to being a stay-at-home mother, finding joy in sewing, baking, and caring for children. As her own children grew, she worked part time at Campbell’s Research Center and as an Avon representative before becoming a sales representative for Western & Southern Life Insurance, where she continued until her retirement in 2001.

Karen cherished simple pleasures—camping, dining out, photography, scrapbooking, and tending her flower garden. She had a gift for conversation and never met a stranger. She loved to travel, with special fondness for trips to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Soo Locks, Whitefish Point, and Crisp Point. Above all, she found her greatest happiness in time spent with her family, especially her grandsons.

She is survived by her children, Deb Bankey of Toledo, Jeff Bankey of Clear Lake, Indiana, Pam (Gary) Rutenbar of Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, and Kirk (Cara) Bankey of Swanton; grandchildren Chandler, Keegan, Andy, and Jayden; and her brother Gary (Barb) Rettig. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Gene, granddaughter Brittany, and sister Judy Paull.