Thomas "Tommy" Bannister, 75, of Fertile, MN, passed away peacefully Sunday, July 21, 2019, at Sanford Health, Fargo, ND surrounded by his family.

Tommy was born on January 18, 1944, to Lewis and Maria (Beckwith) Bannister in Somerville, MA.  He entered the United States Army at the age of 17 and was honorably discharged in June of 1964.

He married Joanne Brown Nephew on June 10, 1989.  Tommy enjoyed a long career of truck driving across the country.  He and Joanne moved to Fertile in 1997 where he dedicated eleven years of service to New Flyer in Crookston, MN.

Tommy was a gentle, loving and funny man.  He enjoyed planting flowers, woodworking, playing cards, doing puzzles, riding horse and listening to Merle Haggard.  He loved watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports; basketball, football, baseball, volleyball, wrestling and play piano.

Tommy is survived by his wife Joanne, daughter Jodi (Tim) Petry, two sons: Jayson (Ann) Nephew and Jamie Nephew, all of Fertile, grandchildren: Tim Jr. (Angie) Petry, Tracy (Randy) Nowacki, Tyler (Amber) Petry, Andy Nephew; all of Fertile and Jordan Nephew of  Boston, MA; great-grandchildren: Rylin, Easton and Macy Petry, Paetyn and Masen Nowacki, Hadley and Logan Petry and Autumn Nephew, very special friends Rita and Mark Stevens, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Joyce and brother-in-law Keith.

Funeral: 11:00AM Thursday, July 25, 2019, at Maple Lake Lutheran Church, rural Fertile, MN.

Visitation: One hour before the funeral at the church on Thursday.

Burial: St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fertile, MN.