Joanne M Vasquez (Stern), beloved mother of Lynn R Meisemann and William F Vasquez passed away peacefully at the age 88 on 6/23/26, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on September 21, 1937 in St. Louis Mo. to John and Lorene (Doolin) Stern and was predeceased by her husband of 54 years William J Vasquez Jr. She made a career in banking taking time off in 1957 to start a family, but returned once her children had grown. She retired as acting Branch Manager for Southern Commercial Bank. Her personal interests were gardening, bowling and she especially loved dancing with Bill.
She would tell you that her professional achievements were important but her greatest achievement was her family. Hers was a love story few people experience. She grew up across the street from the boy who would eventually become her husband. They knew each other from a very young age and loved each other for 54 years until his passing. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her family, be it cooking breakfast for my father in the middle of the night before he went to work, accompanying the kids to their dance recitals, practices and school events.
She would always find a way and you could often hear her say, “We have to keep moving forward”. Her life changed forever when her husband passed and we are comforted knowing that they are united again. My sister Lynn and I can never thank her enough for always being there for us.
She is survived by her brother Gerald Stern and his wife Eileen, children Lynn Meisemann and her partner David Wayne, William Vasquez and his wife Maureen, grandchildren Thomas Meisemann and his wife Marcie, Katie Meisemann and her partner Dustin Wadlow, William F Vasquez Jr and his partner Nicole Roberts, Christina Westcott and her husband Tim, Aaron Vasquez, Alexandra Belanger, great grandchildren Megan Gipson, Raeanne Cooper, Grace Cooper, William Vasquez, Billy Vasquez, Dylan Thornburgh, and great-great grandchild Penelope Gipson. She was preceded in death by her father John J Stern, mother Lorene Stern, sister Patricia Stern, twin brother John Stern and husband William J Vasquez Jr.
Visitation will be held at Kutis Funeral Home located at 10151 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123 on Tuesday, June 30th, 2026 from 9:30am 12:30pm with a graveside service to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to:
https://thearyafoundation.org/donate
If you prefer to mail a check:
The Arya Foundation
P.O. Box 4443
Chesterfield, MO 63006