Joanne Garcia Obituary

Joanne Garcia
Born: March 21, 1938
Died: July 17, 2025
Joanne M. Garcia, 87 formerly of Sterling and currently of Winona, MN died Thursday July 17, 2025.
She was born on March 21, 1938 in Sterling the daughter of Joseph and Dorothy (Beckman) Zinanni and was a 1956 graduate of Community Catholic High School in Sterling. Joanne married Frank V. Fritz on September 1, 1956 in Sterling. She later married Ramiro Garcia on March 4, 1986. Joanne had worked as the Librarian at Newman Central Catholic High School for 15 years during the 1970s and 1980s and during that time earned her certificate in Library Science. She then worked as the office manager at the former Sterling Pavilion Nursing Home. She attended St. Mary Catholic Church in Winona and had been active with the Red Hat Society in the Sterling-Rock Falls area.
Joanne was a force to be reckoned with especially when it came to family. We were always entertained by her antics at family gatherings especially when her sister, Sharon and her brother, Dean were there. She had a wonderful sense of humor that she kept to the end. Joanne will be forever remembered with a super sized mug of Diet Coke in her hand and a sweet of some sort in the other hand.
Survivors include her husband Ramiro; daughter Julie (Rick) Allen of Sugar Grove; sons Kenneth (Karen) Fritz of Winona, MN and Dave Fritz of Columbus, OH; step daughter: Tina (Mark) Danciu of Liberty, TX; stepson, Greg (Pam)Garcia of Sterling; sister, Sharon (Jim) McKenna of Sterling; brother, Dean (Janice) Zinanni of Sterling; five grandchildren: Chad Brieant, Brett Allen, Colin Fritz; Tanya (Andy) Maerz and Derek (Mandy) Horvath; and 11 step grandchildren and 19 step great grandchildren. She was truly blessed to be surrounded by so much family. Joanne loved all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren but she held a special place in her heart for four of her great grandchildren: Svea and Adler Horvath and Charlotte and Liam Maerz. She found such joy in their visits
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; brother Robert Zinanni and step daughter Laurie Riggs Garcia. Joanne's family finds great comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with her family and friends that passed before her.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday July 23, 2025 from 10 – 11 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sterling. Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM, with the Reverend Carlos Monsalve officiating. All are invited to attend a luncheon in memory of Joanne at the Candlelight Inn in Rock Falls immediately following the mass
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Newman Central Catholic High School Library and may be sent in the care of McDonald Funeral Home, 1002 12th Avenue Rock Falls, IL 61071