Joanne Zanter

February 20, 1920 – April 14, 2016

Joanne Zanter, 96, Moses Lake, Washington, resident passed away peacefully Thursday, April 14, 2016. The time and location for a Celebration of her life will be announced later.

Joanne was born in Gaylord, Mich., daughter of the late Frank and Myrtle DeLaMater. She was raised and educated in Gaylord, Mich. She also attended Michigan State University. She returned to Gaylord and worked as a telephone operator. It was as a telephone operator that she met her husband Ed, a phone operator in a nearby town. They were married on August 15, 1942.

After World War II, they moved to Alpena, Mich. and over the course of their 50-year marriage resided in several Michigan communities. In 1970 they returned to Alpena where she worked with students at Sunset School for 14 years and was an active volunteer at St. Paul Lutheran Church. In 1990, they moved to Moses Lake.

Throughout her life she was very generous with her time, volunteering many years as a Girl Scout troop leader, a Sunday School teacher, a PTA supporter and a kindergarten volunteer at Midway School. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church where she was involved in many church events, Bible study and as a volunteer in the church office. In addition to support of her family and her volunteer work, she was an accomplished knitter and crocheter, enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble, was a voracious reader and also loved walking.

Joanne was preceded in death by her husband Ed, two brothers and two sisters.

She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Marcia and Jeff Harris, Gig Harbor, Wash., Carol and Jim Foerch, Lowell, Mich. and Paula and Ed Stout, Moses Lake; one sister, Elsie Moorhead of Beaverton, Ore.; three grandsons Jesse and John Foerch and Rick Harris; three great-grandsons Jacob, Ben and Sam Harris and many dear friends,

The family wishes to thank Monroe House, Sand Ridge Home Care and their caring staff members, and also Assured Hospice of Moses Lake.

Condolences may be mailed to P.O. Box 2313, Moses Lake, WA 98837. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1020 S. A St, Moses Lake, WA 98837, St Paul Lutheran Church,727 S. Second Avenue, Alpena, MI 40707, The Alzeheimer’s Association, or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are in care of Kayser’s Chapel & Crematory. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for family at www.kayserschapel.com.