Jennifer Lynn Banks

Jennifer Lynn Banks was a loving wife, mother, daughter and sister. She cherished being a mother to her four children and her marriage to Gregory. At the age of 39, Jennifer passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals, Madison, Wisconsin after sustaining injuries in an automobile accident. A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at the Morrison High School auditorium, Morrison, Illinois, with Reverend Michael Jones officiating. Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Sterling. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, December 21, 2015 also at the Morrison High School auditorium. Memorials may be given in Jen’s memory to advance education.
Jen was born on May 6, 1976 in Sterling, Illinois the daughter of Dale and Carol (Schoaf) Armstrong. Through her youth, Jen showed strength, smarts, and a fighting spirit. She is a graduate of Morrison High School, with the Class of 1994. Jen went on to receive her education degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign. She taught at the Palm Desert School District in California, while completing her Master’s Degree of Education at the University of California. Upon returning to Illinois, Jen taught at the Huntley Illinois School System, and Sterling area schools. On February 27, 2010, Jennifer married Gregory Banks near Galena, Illinois. Jen’s smile has always been bright—but it shined most brightly once she and Greg found each other. Jennifer, Greg and their children loved life, and building many long-lasting friendships.
Jen was one of forty people in the United States to participate in writing the Standards for Education Curriculum, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She also worked part-time at the Whiteside Regional Office of Education.
Jen will be dearly missed by her husband, Gregory Banks of Sterling; her four children, Ethan Melcher, Olivia Melcher, Zoey Banks, and Logan Banks; her father and mother, Dale and Carol Armstrong of Winnebago, Illinois; two brothers, Jonathan (Christia) Armstrong of Siren, Wisconsin, David (Julia) Armstrong of Rockford, Illinois; her paternal grandmother Reva Glazier-Armstrong; her father and mother-in-law, Michael and Kathy Banks of Sterling; two sisters-in-law, Tracy (Ian) Banks-Geiger of Morrison, and Chelsey Banks of Sterling; and many nieces and nephews.
Jen brought goodness and grace to new heights, her family hopes all who were touched by Jen will commit to bringing more goodness and grace to the world, to honor her memory.