Joanna Lee Hamper

Joanna Lee Hamper was born October 14, 1937, in Walla Walla to Nicholas Paul and Margaret Elodie Stone Zaro Sr.  She passed at Providence St. Mary Hospital on October 15, 2022, one day after her 85th birthday. She attended Davis School and St. Patrick’s School, graduating in 1955. In 1958, she married Donald D. Hamper Sr.  Joanna was employed by Baker Boyer Bank, Old National Bank, and Washington Mutual Savings Bank, retiring in 1986. In 1988, she and Don purchased Modern Business Forms until 1992, when they sold it due to poor health. In 1993, she worked for the American Red Cross as an administrative assistant.

Joanna was a past member of Credit Women International, Pioneer Posse Grounds, and the Lady Elks #2146.

Joanna loved to read, trim and care for her roses and, most of all, always having an open-door policy for all family. To her granddaughters, grandma’s house was known as the “central house,” where they would gather for lunch or just stop by for advice on life.

Survived by daughter, Elizabeth Lynn Anderson and husband Mike of Milton Freewater; daughter-in-law, Sandy Hamper of Odessa; stepson, Dean Hamper of Milton Freewater; five granddaughters, Sarah Herrera of Walla Walla, Casey Hamper of Almira, Cassie Hamper of Milton Freewater, Caitlin Rosman of Odessa, and Celeste Langley of College Place; fourteen great-grandchildren; sisters, Kathy Miotke of Spokane, Michelle Lefore of Milton Freewater, and Anne Zaro of Spokane; brothers, Nick Zaro Jr. and Tony Zaro; last, but not least her yorkie, Spike. Joanna is preceded in death by her husband, Don, and son, Mitchell Hamper, both passing in 2012, and her parents.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2022, from 4:00 until 6:00 PM, at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 21, 2022, at the Mountain View Cemetery of Walla Walla, with Father Lourdu Mummadi officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Catholic Church or the Pioneer Posse Grounds through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, Washington 99362