Joanne K Ringeis

Joanne Kestner was born in Pittsburgh, PA on May 1, 1929, the daughter of Clifford and Wanda Kestner and sister of older brother Bill. Joanne's parents were delighted that their dream of having a little girl had finally come true. Joanne was a tomboy from infancy and she enjoyed playing almost all sports (basketball, football, baseball). In high school, Joanne was a majorette in the high school band. Growing up, Joanne charmed almost everyone with whom she came in contact.
Joanne left Washington, PA the age of 23 and moved to Akron, OH. Shortly after arriving in Akron, Joanne met a quiet man named Pete at a bar where she went to listen to a polka orchestra and dance. Pete took notice of the feisty Joanne and responded by asking her to dance. That dance was the beginning of a lifelong romance and after a two year courtship, Joanne and Pete were married on Dec. 26, 1954.
When Pete completed his college education, they moved to California, where Pete and Joanne had both secured jobs. Their first child, Bill, was born in Santa Monica on Sept. 18, 1957 and their youngest child, Wendy, was born in Chatsworth on July 15, 1960. Joanne had a very close relationship with her children. Growing up, she took an active interest in all their activities (swim team, ice hockey, boy scouts, trumpet, track/cross-country, cheerleading, and of course, helping both kids with their school work).
While raising her family, Joanne and Pete moved their family residence several times, as Pete's work situation changed. Joanne adapted to the changes, finding part-time work or full time work. During her working career, she worked as a secretary or as a book-keeper for a variety businesses.
Joanne was a HUGE fan of USC football. Joanne and Pete had season tickets to the USC football games for many years, occasionally inviting family (children and grandchildren) or friends to join them. She also LOVED dogs and during her lifetime, several dogs got to experience the joy of being owned and cared for by Joanne.
Joanne is survived by her older brother Bill, several nieces and nephews, her beloved husband of nearly 64 years, Pete, and her two children, Bill and Wendy. Bill is married to Lori and they have two children, Jonathan (27) and Olivia (24). Wendy is married to Robert and they have one child, Sierra (17).
Like all of us, Joanne experienced the normal ups and downs of life. However, she held fast to her faith in God and to her loving family and friends. Over the last couple of years, Joanne suffered from dementia, which slowly robbed her of many of the things that made her the person we all know and loved so much. She finally succumbed to complications from that disease on November 18, 2018. Although her final months have been difficult, we know that she is now at peace in the presence of the Lord, fully restored and healed!


In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Vista Cove, where Joanne spent her last 1.5 years and was treated with tender care and respect by the staff, almost like family.
Vista Cove
70201 Mirage Cove Dr.
Rancho Mirage, Ca 92270