Berta Maria Banta

Berta Banta started a new journey with God on the morning of Saturday, January 7, 2017. Mrs. Banta was born in Nueva Rosita, Coahuila, Mexico, to Ricardo and Eustolia Valdés. Berta lived in Mexico until about the age of eighteen when she and her five younger siblings moved to San Antonio where she raised them.

While working as a secretary, she met her husband, Dr. Miguel Banta, Jr, with whom she stayed married for thirty four years. The couple moved first to the Philippines then to Fort Worth where they raised four children.

With her children grown, Mrs. Banta began a career in business and became increasingly civically involved. She opened a travel agency and hotel gift shop in Fort Worth, then owned and operated several stores in the Dallas/Ft Worth Airport. She was a founding member of the Hispanic Women's Network, a Fort Worth organization that supports and advocates for women entrepreneurs. She was awarded “Business Woman of the Year” several times and served on several boards including the Texas Workforce Commission, The Fort Worth Zoo, and Traveler's Aid in the Dallas/Ft Worth Airport.

Mrs. Banta loved to cook for her family and enjoyed watching Mexican telenovelas and Sabado Gigante. She was a fine dresser and always had her hair, nails and makeup done.

Two years ago, Mrs. Banta was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, an aggressive and non-treatable form of dementia. She remained in her home throughout her illness and was cared for by her children, her personal caretakers Jazmin and Sheila, and St. Gabriel's Hospice.

With her children and grandchildren at her side, she passed very peacefully into death.

Surviving her are her four children Michael, Alyssa, David and Patrick Banta and her three grandchildren Liliana, Stefan, Briah and Alyssa.