Joann Rossetto

Lifetime Topeka, Kansas resident, Joann (Starr) Rossetto died November 11, 2022. Born on January 31, 1943, she was the youngest child of Basil and Margaret Carnoali Starr Weishaar. Joann graduated from Assumption Grade School, Hayden High School in 1961 and attended Washburn University. She was a member of the reunion committee for each HHS ’61 reunion. Joann was an active member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church as a Eucharistic Minister, a guardian of the Perpetual Adoration Chapel, the Women’s Club, Funeral Dinner Coordinator, Coordinator of the Christian Widow/Widowers’ group and the Prayer Blanket Ministry. She previously sang in the adult choir for thirteen years. In January 2018, she traveled with two choirs to Rome to celebrate the Epiphany Mass at the Vatican with Pope Francis. Joann volunteered for the Topeka Performing Arts Center for over 25 years, being one of the first people to work in that capacity. She previously delivered Meals on Wheels. Her two children, Stephen Rossetto and Suzanne Meier, survive as well as her grandchildren, Elizabeth Rossetto, Stephanie Nelson, Ashton Meier and Nathan Meier. She will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren for her “gramstacks” of birthday presents and the yearbooks that she created every year. She was the special secret Tooth Fairy (Miriam, Gracie Lynn, Claire and Quinn). Her sister, Marilyn Hartman of Topeka survives. She is also survived by nieces and nephews and many close, dear friends. Her brothers, Bernard and Richard Starr and her grandson, Christian Rossetto Nelson, predeceased her. Joann worked for over fifty years in the legal/medical field, beginning after high school for a local law firm. She also worked for the State Central Research Staff at the Kansas Judicial Center and in Federal Court where she served three Magistrate Judges as Courtroom Deputy for eleven years. From Federal Court, she transferred to the VA Medical Center as the medical transcription coordinator. She was referred to as “Betty Crocker” as she often provided baked treats for co-workers. Joann enjoyed cooking, baking and entertaining, especially during the holidays when she hosted cookie baking and decorating parties with friends, her grandchildren and neighborhood children. She was an avid Scrabble player. She was ever present attending her grandchildren’s sports activities and extracurricular activities. Special thanks to her daughter, Suzanne, who acted as her medical advocate. Visitation will be from 1-3 PM Sunday, November 20, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614. The rosary will be prayed at 10:30 AM and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 21, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, with burial following at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in her honor for the Prayer Blanket Ministry. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

Joann Rossetto

January 31, 1943 - November 11, 2022