Joan graduated from Weslaco High School and attended Concordia Lutheran College in Austin. She was a member of the first class that admitted women to the college. She worked as a waitress at the Frisco Shop where she met and then married James Sawrie in 1960. Joan became a military wife and mother, which included traveling extensively in Europe and the U.S. After her husband retired from the military, the family moved back to Austin in 1970.
Joan continued her education by attending night classes at Austin Community College and then completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Texas. She taught Kindergarten in the Austin and Manor School Districts.
After the death of her husband, she married Russell Kyler in 1987. Joan retired from full-time teaching and enjoyed traveling with her husband. Even after retiring she still continued to occasionally substitute teach.
She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and then Triumphant Love Lutheran Church and had a passion for singing in the church choir. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking and spending time with her grandsons.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Russell Kyler. She is survived by her daughter Carol McAlister and her husband Jere of Austin, son John Sawrie of Cedar Park, and grandsons James and Steven McAlister of Austin.
The family would like to give our deepest thanks to the caregivers that took special care of Joan: Gloria from The Pavilion at Great Hills, Christopher and staff at Brookdale North Austin, and the staff at Brookdale Hospice.
A visitation will be held at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660, on Monday, July 29 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Triumphant Love Lutheran Church, 9508 Great Hills Trail, Austin, TX 78759 with a reception immediately following.
Burial will take place at 2pm at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660.
In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Triumphant Love Lutheran Church in her honor.
