Frederick Russell "Russ" Banta, 81, of Salmon, passed away 22 September 2008 at Steele Memorial Hospital. Banta was born 29 July 1927 to Floyd and Ruth Mavity Banta in the old Geertson Creek house on the Lemhi. He was the fifth of six boys; Carrol, Darrell, Jim, Gayle, Russ and Larry. Banta spent his early years in the Pahsimeroi Valley and though times were tough, had many wonderful memories of his childhood there. It was during these lean years he learned to be such a hard worker and that was a trait he continued throughout his lifetime. After graduating from Challis High School in 1945, he enlisted in the army. He spent nearly two years in active service in Korea and was honorably discharged in January of 1948. After returning home he met Nancy Lee Appleton and they were married in 1950. They raised five children; sons, Curt, Russ and Alan, then ten years later, daughters, Judy and Shelly. Banta and his wife spent their early years together at Cobalt where he was an underground miner. He had many different jobs throughout his life and gave them each his best. He drove truck, ranched and milked cows, was a wonderful carpenter and built several houses from the ground up. They even tried being city folk and owned and operated a motel in Boise in the 1970s, but decided it was time to move the girls back to Salmon. Banta then worked as the head electrician at QB Corporation until his retirement. Besides supporting his family, he enjoyed working on model trains, golfing and steelhead fishing. He also took great pride in the beautiful yard and vegetable garden Nancy and he grew together. Banta was a lifelong member of the Elks Lodge No. 1620 and though he had not attended an Elks function for many years, it was a membership he treasured until his death. As we all well know, Banta never had a problem speaking his mind, good or bad, and was as damn hard-headed as they come, but underneath the tough exterior, there truly was a kind and loving heart.