Jo Ann was born on October 7, 1931, in Yoakum, Texas, to Walter John Winter and Hedwig Hilda Hagens. She graduated from Yoakum High School in 1949. Jo Ann married Clifton Lau on June 20, 1950, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Yoakum. Jo Ann and Clifton came to live in Victoria and started their family. They were married for 68 years until Clifton's passing in 2018. To this union were born five children.
After graduating from high school, she got a job as a telephone operator. During this time, she met the love of her life, Clifton Lau. They dated and then married in 1950.
After spending 18 years raising her children, she chose to study nursing at Victoria College in 1968, where she excelled and graduated as Valedictorian of her class. Upon graduation, she worked at Citizens Hospital and then became office manager for a local doctor until retiring from that position.
Upon settling in Victoria, Jo Ann and Clifton became members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. As a member of Our Lady of Lourdes, she was a member of the Altar Society, Choir, Catholic Daughters, and Ladies' Quilting Group.
Jo Ann is survived by four of her five children: Robert Lau of Richmond, TX; Karen Lewis (Vonnie) and Phyliss Rigamonti, both of Victoria, TX, and Stephen Lau of Fulshear, TX. She is survived by her 11 grandchildren: Stacey, Scott, Shana, Kristy, Brittany, Jennifer, Natalie, Courtney, Allison, Michael, and Meagan. She is survived by her 17 great-grandchildren: Justine, Braden, Jesse, Haley, Zoey, Alyssa, Briley, Connor, Bryton, Jada, Nora, Camden, Austin, Audry, Marley, Paisley, and Emma. She is survived by her one great-great-grandchild, Charlie Rayann. She is survived by a sister, Helen Winter of Victoria.
Jo Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Clifton Lau; son, Mark John Lau; son-in-law, Charles Rigamonti; and great-granddaughter, Haley Nicole Robinson. Preceding her in death were her brothers and sisters: Doris Janota, twin brother Fritz Winter, Martha Tesch, twins Adella and Adolph Winter, Bill Winter, Aline Winter, and Evelyn Russell.
Visitation will be held at Rosewood Funeral Chapel, 3304 Mockingbird Lane, Victoria, Texas, on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 5pm to 7pm, followed by the rosary at 7pm. The rosary will be led by the Catholic Daughters. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 105 N William St, Victoria, Texas, at 10am on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will follow the cemetery ceremony in the basement of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
Pallbearers for Jo Ann will be grandsons Scott Lewis and Michael Lau, great-grandson Braden Speer, and grandsons-in-law Drew Wappler, Josh Cheney, and Brian Mace. Honorary pallbearers are great-grandsons Connor Chappell, Bryton Speer, and Camden Mace.
All are welcome to attend and celebrate JoAnn's life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in JoAnn's name to Our Lady of Lourdes or Hospice of South Texas.
Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com.
