She married Robert (Bob) Allen and they lived in Dallas, Texas where Joanne studied dental hygiene at Baylor College of Dentistry. She began her career as a dental hygienist in 1958 and worked in that profession for 57 years.

The majority of her career as a dental hygienist was spent serving her patients in Taylor, Texas until her retirement

in 2015. Joanne is preceded in death by her parents, William and Julia Oesterreich and her sisters, RoseMary (Eldred) Plautz and Lorraine O’Neal.

Joanne is survived by her husband of 70 years, Robert Allen, three children; Mitchell (Julie), Julia Carleton (Thomas), Matthew (Kerri), seven grandchildren; Hannah Hebert (Clay), Madeline, Abigail, Ava, Jackson, Lyla, Ella, and brother-in-law Hubert O’Neal. While we grieve her earthly passing, we rejoice in the belief that she is with our resurrected Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Service on May 3, at 10 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Walburg, Texas, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Lutheran Hour or Lutheran World Relief in Joanne’s name.