Our beloved Joanne: A wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, a great-grandmother, a loyal friend, and a "chosen" teacher. Also, a life-long devoted Lutheran, calling Trinity Lutheran Church, in downtown Houston, her most loved and sacred place of worship.

Joanne was most unique. Originally from Louisiana, she was a woman who was ahead of her time; full of energy, bursting with talents and knowledge. Joanne was a gifted teacher, or, a messenger if you will, and so much, much more

To start, in first grade no less, and before her Confirmation at age 13 - Confirmation - that word; that big lovely important word to Joanne's world view all her life - She had, maybe, a pre-blessed first test about her future, we could say an early taste of teaching. Her 1st grade teacher had her teach a small group of children within the classroom who were a little further behind than she was. That energy, that spark of joy she experienced. This created a first hint of a beautiful awareness to her blossoming purpose; to have her own deep, life-fulfilling, life-altering beautiful mission to help and teach others.

Another chance happened: At the sweet tender age of just 13, shortly after her own confirmation, Joanne was asked to teach Sunday school. Teaching Sunday school after her own confirmation, and being so young- is a rarity! It means that this was a true gift by God, Himself directly to her - our most precious Joanne. She deeply listened to and honored the Almighty's request because she knew God trusted her, and she trusted Him!

To emphasize; at such a young age, remarkably, she began her solid path of the Godly Lutheran Journey, no questions asked, but in a dignified and confident manner for one so young.

Joanne met and married Oliver Husser in 1951, and became mother to Gail (Flaviani), Michael, and Leigh-Anne (McQuitty)
In the 80's, Joanne became a Training Director for Sears, as well as Director of Credit-Collections for Finger Furniture company. (That's a man' job!) But that did not deter her!

In 1985, she wrote a book! it was published in 1985, on the subject of Collection Techniques and the Law. Sounds a bit tedious, but this is evidence of her teaching skills; she had fortitude. She taught herself about a complicated subject to thus be able to write a book about it too. Again, just another one of her blessed talents.

Because of her excellent book, she was invited to travel the country giving seminars on Customer Service and Collection Techniques. Her dear husband Oliver, known affectionately as Russ, especially loved the time when they were invited to Hawaii. She was quite a go-getter and a self-starter for a woman of her generation. a woman of action!

Before she retired, Joanne had become the President of several arms of the Credit Association of Houston, and had won the Local, Regional, and State Executive of the Year awards for Credit Education! Yes, Joanne is the only woman we know who has had creditors call her to give her money! With all else she was doing, raising her family, and being a wife during the 80's. She also had the privilege of teaching work and job skills to former prison inmates in rehabilitation; and to people who were trying to get off of government assistance.

In 1991, she enthusiastically and very proudly became a Stephen Minister, and then too quickly became a Stephen Leader in 1992.

Since the time when her own children were still in school, she tutored children of all ages. She taught in the Private School Interscholastic Association for 15 years, and was so proud to donate her time, and to witness many of her students win regional and state championships.

In Joanne's personal life, she was an avid LSU fan and awesome cook. Almost weekly, and for any, or any and all reasons to celebrate anything, she, without a blink, would whip up huge dinners for her huge family, with their friends too. Joanne had extra tables to add to the already long dining table; anything to help gather around more, and make more jolly! Her family helped her too of course, but whenever she let them. Joanne was too fast at getting it all cooked like a master chef, and seriously, nobody complained about that! By the end of the meal, talk of her needing and extra dishwasher was sure to be mentioned!

Even though her family fought over who got the most left-overs, card games became a custom, as a automatic after-dinner fun social hour of laughs, teasing competition, completed with her cute little dog Ziggy and then Sweetie, "hovering" the floor under the table for any extra nibbles, or wind-falls from overly generous grand-children.

Bridge was a special favorite card game, she shared with her dear long-time friends, but that was also another reason to show off her cooking skills.

To top it all off, she was a mother, a grandmother of six grand-children, and a great-grandmother of 21 great grandchildren! She was a very busy person, but always had time for others.

Joanne, we thank you for sharing your life with us, and being a near-impossible role model, especially for women, to follow and live by, and for your family, and to all people blessed to know you.