Joanne Zuch

Joanne Steinbach Zuch, of Waco, passed away on October 26, 2021. Services will be Friday, November 5, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Waco, with visitation beginning at 9:00am, and memorial service at 10:00am, with Pastor Kelsey Fitting-Snyder officiating. Burial will follow with a family graveside service in Brenham. Joanne was born on July 4, 1933, in Houston, to Dr. Herbert and Elsa Kolwes Steinbach. She grew up in Brenham and graduated as valedictorian from Brenham High School. She attended Texas Lutheran University and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in business education and business administration. While teaching at an Austin Middle School, Joanne met Howard Weller Zuch, and they were married on December 29, 1957. During their married life, they lived in College Station, Fort Worth, Richardson, Sugar Land, and finally in Waco, where Howard died in 1997. Joanne had acquired a real estate broker’s license and worked in sales and management in Richardson. While in Sugar Land, she began teaching GED classes in the adult education program and continued that work for many years after moving to Waco. In 2001, she was honored as the Outstanding State Adult Education Part-Time Teacher of the year, and was twice chosen Adult Education Teacher of the Year at McLennan Community College. She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church and was always involved in church activities. She has been a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Alumnae, Junior League of Houston, Richardson, and Waco, the Central Texas Literacy Coalition, Waco Newcomers and Neighbors, Bible Study Fellowship, and was an avid bridge player. Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Herbert and Elsa Steinbach; her husband, Howard Zuch; her daughter, Dr. Carolyn Zuch Rheiner; brother, John Steinbach; and her dear sisters-in-law, Emily McCormick and Martha Bengtson. She is survived by her daughter Laura Miller and husband, Bret, of Waco; her son, Howard William Zuch and wife, Michel, of Brenham; grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother- and sister-in-law, Drs. Herb and Sandy Steinbach, of Dallas; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Daniel Rheiner, Bret Miller, Hunter Miller, Kline Miller, Trent Miller, and Fernando Loa. Memorials may be given to St Matthew Lutheran Church 800 North New Road, Waco, Texas 76710 or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to share a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.