Joan “Joanie” Zeralsky

Joan Katherine Zeralsky, affectionately known as Joanie, passed away at 93 years of age on September 29, 2025 at Grace Assisted Living in Twin Falls, Idaho. A beloved mother, grandmother, banker, and friend, Joan was unfailingly generous and warmed the lives of all she met.

Joan was born in 1932 in Johnstown, PA to Frank J. Banas and Sofia Slezak Banas. In 1952 she married William A. Zeralsky. They shared 26 years of marriage and raised two children, William and Sandra, in Pearl River, NY.

Athletic and vivacious, Joan “Bananas” Banas originally aspired to be a physical education teacher but instead found her true calling in banking, working her way up from a part-time bank teller to a vice president at the Bank of New York. Her career achievements were honored by the National Organization of Women (NOW).

Joan strongly supported St. Jude Research Hospital and the Humane Society of the United States. She was known for her exceptional fashion sense and was an avid dancer. She collected antiques and artwork. Her family savored her delicious cooking ranging from French classics that rivaled Julia Child’s to hearty traditional Polish fare such as golabki. Joan truly enjoyed world travel, notably to Machu Picchu and to Poland, the land of her heritage.

Joan is survived by her two children, William J. Zeralsky and Sandra Porter; her four grandchildren, William R. Zeralsky, Maxwell Zeralsky, Lauren (Zachary) Ploskey, Katie (Angel) Mejia, and Sean Kim; her seven great grandchildren; her brother Frank (Adele) Banas; and her niece Margie.

Visitation will be on October 9th at 10:30 AM at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church at 161 6th Avenue E in Twin Falls. Funeral services will follow at 11 AM with Fr. Pawel Pawliszko officiating. Joan’s final resting place will be Sunset Memorial Park in Twin Falls.