Joann was born on Sept. 23rd, 1928 in Falls City Nebraska where her father William T. Walker was pastor of the 1st Presbyterian Church. A year later her father was called to the Presbyterian Church in Sullivan, Mo. Her mother Essie Belle was a most supportive ministers’ wife. Joann’s entire family was highly involved in music. All sang and all played instruments. They often provided special music to church services. Joann began singing solos when she was in elementary school and often sang duets with her sister Mary Louise.
Twelve years later her dad “Will” was called to the Presbyterian church of Madison Kansas but died after being there only one year. These were very tough times for the family. The church wanted Essie to remain there and be their “lay minister”. She agreed to carry on Will’s work. A female pastor was very uncommon at that time in the 1940’s but she was very well respected and did an amazing job of teaching God’s word to the congregation.
Joann often sang solos at the church and even formed a “Girls Choir” by inviting her girlfriends to come and sing so the church would have a choir. (about 20 of her friends became faithful choir members). Every Christmas Joann directed a special service that featured the “Girls Choir’
Because Joann (like her mother) was blessed with a beautiful soprano voice, she began taking voice lessons while still in high school at the College of Emporia from which she Graduated from in 1950 with a Bachelor of Music Degree. She was the only the only student there having ever been chosen to sing the “soprano solos” in the annual presentation of the Handel’s Oratorio “ The Messiah” for which a music critic wrote a great review in the Emporia Gazette about her excellent renditions of the arias she sang. She always said it was the Musical highlight of her Life. She would later get top reviews in Top Competitions such as “The Carnegie Hall Auditions”. While singing was her love and passion she also had a heart of teaching. Soon after college she would get hired as Music and English Teacher at a middle school. Around this same time in 1949 she would get approached by a well-known man in the community who asked her if she knew his son Harry? She did not remember him. We would then ask her if she would go on a date with his son Harry. Joann said that he would have to call her and ask. Harry called and their first date would be to a ball game, soon after that another date would happen at the movie theater. The two became very fond of one another, you may call it love at 1st sight. In 1950 Harry would get drafted to serve in the military for the Korean War, before going the two would get married. After nearly 2 years Harry was released from the Army due to an illness and would come home to Joann and start their lives together. They would move to Shawnee, Ks. and eventually to Olathe Kansas where they would have 3 boys (Jeff, Steve and Danny). Her life transitioned from working at different jobs to now being a stay at home mom to raise her 3 boys. She was a great mother who loved her children. She had made many friends over the years so staying in touch with all of them was very important to her. Also, During this time the her passion for singing would continue as she sang in the local church choir for over 45 years. Being an English teacher earlier in her life also allowed her to take on another venture showing off her amazing writing ability for the Johnson County Gazette which she wrote over 300+ articles for in 18 years.
She was a passionate sports fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. Seeing both teams win World Championships was a dream come true.
Joann loved so many and was loved by so many. She shall be greatly missed by all who knew this great woman. She lived a full life up to her very last breathe which was in the presence of her loved ones.
Joann is preceded in death by her husband Harry LaCerte. Survivors include their three sons: Jeffery LaCerte, Stephen LaCerte and his wife Lisa, and Daniel LaCerte. She will be sadly missed by her two grandsons, Micah LaCerte and wife Diana , Stephen LaCerte , three nephews, Max Smith, Jan Smith (Janet) and Bill Smith, two step-children, Sarah Clyde (Hunter) and Alex Loeffler and great grandson Soren. All were very dear to Joann.
Memorial service will be Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 2:00pm at the McGilley and Frye Funeral Home, 105 E. Loula St., Olathe, KS 66061.
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