Joann Catherine Resch

Joann Resch, age 78, died unexpectedly at her home Monday afternoon, February 26, 2018. Joann was born in Evansville on April 14, 1939 to the late Edmund J. Resch (d.1964) and Lorraine (Lutterbach) Resch (d. 1985). She was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church (now Sts. Mary & John Parish). Joann attended the parish elementary school and then studied at Nazareth Academy in Nazareth, Kentucky for high school. She graduated from St. Louis University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Theology. Her first teaching position was at Rex Mundi High School from 1961 to 1966. In 1966 Joann was one of the first women accepted into the graduate program at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she earned her Master of Arts degree in Theology in 1971. Joann taught in Denver, Colorado from 1972 to 1979 and was on the pastoral staff at St. Mary Cathedral in Denver from 1979 to 1983 when she returned to Evansville to care for her mother. From 1987 to 1994, Joann served in full-time ministry as pastoral associate at St. Mary Church. In 1996, she was employed as an adjunct instructor in the communications department of the College of Liberal Arts, University of Southern Indiana, where she taught until her retirement in 2009. Those who knew Joann well describe her as a free spirit - part poet, part pastor, part counselor. She had an uncanny ability to see deeply into issues confronting individuals and institutions. Her focus always was on spirituality as opposed to organized religion. She loved animals and nature and was a loving “parent” to many Siberian huskies over the years, even up to the day of her death. She is survived by cousins, Ronnie Resch (Joan) and Ramon Resch (Betty) of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and John Resch (Alyce) and Gene Resch (Ruth) of Jackson, Minnesota, and countless friends in the Tri-State. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Friends are asked to come with stories of Joann to share from 9:15 - 9:45 a.m. Her longtime friend and pastor, Rev. Stephen P. Lintzenich will preside, joined by Rev. Benny Chacko, Administrator of Sts. Mary & John Parish. Burial to follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. If you wish to honor Joann, please send your memorial gift to the St. Vincent DePaul Society, Sts. Mary & John Parish, 613 Cherry Street, Evansville, IN 47713. Joann was an active member of St. Vincent DePaul for many years. Condolence letters sent to the parish will be forwarded to Joann’s cousins and the family will be notified of all memorial gifts. Condolences online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Pierre Funeral Home.

Joann Catherine Resch

April 14, 1939 - February 26, 2018