Larry Laverne Banaka

Larry Laverne Banaka, 68, of La Grande, died April 9 at his home. A celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday at Loveland Funeral Chapel.

Larry was born Oct. 10, 1942, in Imperial, Neb., to Kenneth L. and Wilma D. Hiatt Banaka. When he was a young child, he moved with his family to Washington. He lived and attended school in the Woodlawn, Aberdeen and Hoquiam areas.

He graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1961, and married in 1963. His first two children were born in Aberdeen. He moved his family to La Grande in 1966, and two more children were born.

He worked in the wood products industry, retiring from Boise Cascade Plywood in Elgin after 38 years.

He enjoyed a lifelong love for hunting, camping, snowmobiling and spending time with his family. He was known for always joking and playing pranks on others, and being a kid at heart with the children in his life.

Larry is survived by his children and their spouses, Kimmie and Andy Campo of Elgin, Mitchell and Carolyn Banaka of Bend and Pamela and Greg Mackie of Boise; two sisters, Pat and her spouse, Jack Baker, of Wilber, Wash., and Ilene Sloan of Elgin; six grandchildren; and many aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Wilma; son Kenneth D. Banaka; and brother-in-law, Donald Sloan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon, 2000 SW First Ave., Suite 410, Portland 97201.

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