Obituary of Barbara Eletta Bangs

Barbara Eletta Ketterer Bangs Longtime Grosse Pointe resident Barbara Eletta Ketterer Bangs passed away January 9, 2021 at the home of her daughter, Martha, in St. Clair Shores, where Barbara had lived for the past seven years. She died peacefully with Martha at her side after enjoying one final Christmas season her favorite time of the year. Barbara was born March 30, 1925 to Edward A. and Gertrude E. (nee Kraft) Ketterer at the couple's house in Detroit. Barbara grew up on Lincoln Road and attended the Grosse Pointe Public School System, graduating from Grosse Pointe High School. She worked for Chrysler in the invoicing department until she married and started her family. Barbara loved to play piano and sing, and she studied ballet for many years. During World War II, Barbara was a volunteer for Hostess Corps events. Barbara met her husband, Donald C. Bangs, through the St. Columba Episcopal Church "Marinots," a young peoples group, and married him on May 5, 1951. They built their home in Grosse Pointe Woods, where the couple raised two daughters and became active at St. Michaels Episcopal Church. Barbara stayed home to raise the children and returned to the workforce part-time when the girls were teenagers, ultimately retiring as a teller at Comerica Bank. Throughout her life, Barbara was a dedicated volunteer within the Grosse Pointe Public School System, the Girl Scouts and The Little Thrift Shop at St. Michaels. Her family and faith were always at the center of her life, and she showed kindness and generosity to many throughout the years, both in times of need and at unexpected times. Barbara was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. Barbara was predeceased by her beloved husband Don in 1992. The sudden and unexpected nature of his death necessitated big changes in her life. Barbara took the opportunities presented to herself to develop new interests and friendships and became active in golf and bowling leagues, worked on the elections in Grosse Pointe Woods and volunteered her time at Pierce Middle School in Grosse Pointe Park in the home economics/life skills area. She also volunteered in the surgical lounge at (the former) Bon Secours Hospital in Grosse Pointe, and she helped with book sales through the Friends of the Grosse Pointe Library. In addition to volunteering her time, Barbara enjoyed accompanying her daughter Martha on trips for business and leisure. Well into her nineties, Barbara continued to volunteer in the receiving department at The Little Thrift Shop and spent time helping with special projects and crafts at ShorePointe Village (assisted living). Barbara's life was well lived and in service to others, and her loving spirit, positive attitude, sense of humor and enjoyment of life's simple things will be missed. Barbara is survived by her loving daughters, Elizabeth and Martha, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Adele Segerlund, Edward F. Ketterer and Gertrude E. Munro. For the past 4 years, Barbara was an active member of Christ Church Grosse Pointe. A memorial service will be held there at a later date when pandemic restrictions are lifted. Interment will take place at the Christ Church Grosse Pointe Memorial Garden in the coming days. In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbaras memory can be sent to the Christ Church Grosse Pointe Music Fund, the Christ Church Grosse Pointe Flower Fund, Crossroads of Michigan or the Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society.