Teresa R. Banks, age 70 of Helena

Teresa Renee Banks was born Teresa Renee Mongolo in Reno, Nevada on July 17, 1954, to Edward F. Mongolo and Mystery Agnes Schneider. She was the oldest of three brothers and four sisters. She grew up in Reno and graduated from Reno High School in 1972. After graduating she attended beauty college, even though she was already beautiful! On March 28th, 1975, she married her high school sweetheart, Michael Banks. In 1976 they welcomed their first child Aaron, a beautiful baby boy. Later that year, they joined their best friends, Lyle and Pasty Schwope in Townsend Montana. In 1977 they were blessed with their second child, this time a bubbly little girl they named Rebekah. Also in 1977, along with special friends, John and Nancy Williams, Gary and Judy Anderon, Diane Johnson, John and Joni Carlton, Lyle and Patsy Schwope, and many others they started Townsend Christian Fellowship. In 1979 they welcomed their third child, another perfect little girl, Rachael. Besides raising her own three children, Renee helped raise many others who referred to her as Nae Nae. She was naturally the world’s best mom. She also loved animals (except for bugs) and was very talented at many types of crafts but was a master at sewing and crochet. She spent her entire life making things for others. She spent many years making angel gowns, (burial gowns for the Nicu units at the Hospital) from donated wedding gowns. Even after her own diagnosis of cancer she continued to make hats and lapgans for the oncology unit at St. Peters Hospital. It brough her great joy to be able to bless others. Besides her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the most important things in her life were her kids, grandkids and many wonderful friends. She will not soon be forgotten.

Renee is survived by her husband of fifty years, Mike. Her son Aaron (Melinda, John, Taiylor and Parker) of Townsend. Daughter, Rebekah of Reno Nevada. Daughter Rachael Stubbendeck (Danny, Hayden and Madyson) of Townsend. Sister Tammii (Tony) Gomes of Reno, Nevada. Sister Patti Bright of Portland Oregan. Brother Mark Evans (Sheri and Meghan) of Post Falls, Idaho and Brother Dan (Melanie, Kayla, Courtney, Morgan and Taylor) Evans of Newman Lake Washington. Plus, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Mystery Lincoln, father, Edward F. Mongolo, stepmom, Charlene Mongolo. Brother, Michael Mongolo. Sister Tyais and sister Wendy Bright.

1Corinthians Chapter 2 Verse 9

9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”