Jo-Ann Walton Sauer

Jo-Ann W. Sauer, of Austin passed away quietly on March 12, 2026 due to complications associated with Lewy Body dementia and age. A devoted, caring and very loving wife and Mother, Jo was a woman who was dedicated to her family and friends, always providing loving guidance, assistance and counsel.

Jo was born, along with her twin sister Patricia, on December 2, 1935, to Nellie Elizabeth and William Luther Walton in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Avonworth High School in Pittsburgh and for one year attended Beaver College (now Acadia University) in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. She graduated as a Medical Secretary from the Business Training College in Pittsburgh. Prior to becoming a military wife, she worked as a medical secretary/office manager for a three-doctor orthodontist dental office. As an Army officer’s wife, she was always busy with traditional duties as well as caring for her children in the absence of her husband pursuant to temporary duty or short tours of duty. Jo served as the honorary President of the Sacramento Depot Military and Civilian Wives Club. She also served as co-manager of the Fort Hood Thrift Shop. Her last employment was as a secretary of the Frankfurt Army Dental Clinic in Germany.

Jo married her high school sweetheart Jack L. Sauer of Pittsburgh in August of 1957. That started her journey as a military officer's wife from 1958 through 1985, actively helping and guiding others through participation in overseas and stateside military unit memberships, associations and neighborhood activities. Jo lived in, and established, 24 different homes with her family during the 27 years associated with the US Army. She was always a gracious officer's wife and the constant, the dependable, and the cementing force in raising three children while relocations were accomplished from Germany to Hawaii and numerous cities in between. She assumed control of the checkbook in 1966 due to her husband's first tour to Vietnam and never relinquished it until recently. Jo was a varsity cheerleader in high school, always loved to dance, learned to hula in Hawaii and truly enjoyed all aspects of life! Cooking was always fun for her, and she enjoyed doing just that for many friends and family members. At age 82, after all went well with a Christmas get together of 32 family members, she declared to those present that since all went well, that it was her last Christmas as hostess and it was now their turn.

Upon her husband's retirement from the US Army in 1985, they located in Austin, Texas, began a great association with Radian Corporation, joined Balcones Country Club and continued membership until 2023. Jo had a special zest for Saturday morning yard sale activities and for their multi-annual Christmas sale where she and twin Pat displayed and sold both large and small treasures they made. Jo treasured and continued enjoyable associations with all those with whom she came in contact. In the more recent years, she so very much enjoyed periodic “dinner-out” with “the Group”.

Plagued with periodic falls beginning in August 2022, and which continued through 2025, Jo became a resident of Brookdale North Austin. Pursuant to two additional falls at that location, she was hospitalized in September and subsequently entered the hospice program. Jo received compassionate care from both Brookdale and St. David’s hospice through her final day.

Jo was predeceased by son Richard William Sauer, in November 1998. Also predeceasing her was her twin sister Pat Harris (MG Richard) in March 2018, and brother William R. Walton (Mary Ann), and sisters, Jane James (Roy), Carole McKim (Robert), Mary Lou Ramsey (Harvey), and Linda Bonebrake (Fred).

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Jack L. Sauer, and children Jack Lloyd Sauer Jr. (Denise Katharina) of Springfield, Oregon; Patti-Jo S Loots (Troy) of Austin, Texas; and grandchildren, Jack Lloyd Sauer III (Candice), Ashley Marie Sauer, Gage Allen Loots (Erin), Taylor Ann Klevins (Jeffrey), Nora Corinne McWilliams, Stephen Derek Sauer (Alyssa), David Nessly and Emma Nessly; eight great granddaughters Eva, Amelia, Abigale, Rylie-Jo, Amara, and Joie Ann; and two great grandsons, Daniel and Eric. She is also survived by daughter-in-law (Richard's widow) Frances Harris Sauer of Clarksville, Maryland. Also surviving Jo are many dear nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

In accordance with her wishes, a private family graveside service and internment of ashes will take place at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

Jo maintained that: “The purpose of life is to be happy, to be useful, to be honorable and to be compassionate. Make a difference and show that you’ve loved, been loved, and that you’ve lived and lived well.”

Remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105