Stephanie V. Banas (nee Gatz), age 99, died peacefully in Chicago, IL, on November 14, 2023.  She had attended Mundelein College in Chicago and taught second grade at St. Robert Bellarmine School for 25 years.  In her retirement, Stephanie travelled and participated in several social clubs, and enjoyed the company of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  As a young woman during WWII, Stephanie volunteered with the Red Cross and USO.  As a young mother, she was active in Girl Scouts, the Altar and Rosary Sodality, and various church groups, fundraisers, and craft shows.  Stephanie was preceded in death by her husband, Edward T. Banas, her parents, and her three brothers and five sisters.  She is survived by her children Theresa (Walter Jaskierny), Edward (Mary Ellen), John (Kerry Keenan), and Mary (James Schwarz), as well as eleven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and hundreds of second grade students.  Visitation will take place at Lawrence Funeral Home 4800 N. Austin Ave., Chicago on Friday, December 29 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  Family and friends are to meet Saturday, December 30 at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 4646 N. Austin Ave., Chicago for a Mass of the Resurrection to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. with her grandson Rev. Joseph Jaskierny officiating.  Procession to and burial at Maryhill Cemetery will follow the Mass.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph Indian School, Chamberlain, SD . For information, Lawrence Funeral Home at 773-736-2300 or www.lawrencefh.com