Lisa Marie Joest

Lisa Marie Joest, of Evansville, passed away April 7, 2026, at Henderson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Lisa was born February 3,1969,9 to the late James and Carol (Stanley) Joest. A 1987 Reitz graduate, Lisa filled many roles in life. She was Mom to Breanna, Eowyn and William and she was a good friend to many. Lisa worked at Pine Haven Nursing home for some time with her mother and later at GE with her dad. When she was in college at Spalding University in Louisville, she spent her weekends working fulltime at Birthplace, the Labor and Delivery unit at Welborn Baptist Hospital, in the nursery and as unit secretary. She helped many parents transition from expecting parents to hands on parents. Long before she had her own children she guided and nurtured many new mothers as they began nursing and caring for their babies. She had a real gift in this area of work. When Welborn closed she continued this work at St Mary’s Hospital. She worked on the Riverboat at Casino Aztar as a dealer. Later in life she worked for the EVSC as a teaching assistant in special education classrooms. She worked at Cracker Barrel as well. She was an entrepreneur developing her small business “Masquerade Soaps.” Lisa spent time as a taxi driver as well, sometimes taking people on long drives for medical appointments. Lisa was a character, always up for shenanigans. There was a sparkle in her eyes as she deviously plotted some little trouble with her friends. Originally in the “I hate driving club” it is ironic that she became the one taxiing people here and there as she did later in life. Lisa was a violinist but was moved to viola when she got to high school. This just encouraged her to start trouble from across the orchestra to her friends over in the violin section. Once she started giggling, it spread across the string section until the poor director could only wonder what was going on. Sometimes we didn’t even know. All it took was a mischievous glance from Lisa and the giggles began. She was a member of the Reitz Speech Team. She perfected her skills in debate, aka argumentation. This was truly a lifelong skill for Lisa; she could build the perfect argument to support mischief! Lisa always showed up for her friends. The girl who hated to drive became the friend who picked up a friend for long talk therapy sessions held during a late night drive, always including plenty of music. She heard when her friends needed something and showed up–whether it was dropping off a needed item with impeccable timing, riding along with a friend who needed company on a long drive. She just seemed to know when to come over to hang out with the tired mom and her kids, giving everyone a much needed infusion of fun. Lisa showed up, laughing and ready to help, always with a large diet soda in hand. She was at her best when she was spoiling the ones she loved. Her smile and laughter took over the room. She loved her children fiercely and told her friends that she wanted so much more for them than she had been able to do for them. Lisa is survived by her children, Breanna Jones, Eowyn Jones and William Jones, Jr; uncles, Kevin Joest, Joseph Joest, Gerry Barnes and her lifelong very dear friends Jennifer Courter and Marty Cullison. She was preceded in death by her father James (Jim) Joest in 2020; by her mother Carol Joest in 2000; by a brother, James Joest, Jr. in 1995; and an infant sister, Regina Joest in 1963. Graveside services and burial will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Poseyville, Indiana. Rev. Christopher Droste will preside. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Boniface Catholic Church, 418 N Wabash Ave, Evansville, IN 47712 for Masses to be said in Lisa’s memory.

Lisa Marie Joest

February 3, 1969 - April 8, 2026