Joan E. Kraisinger Lackner

1935 - 2025

Joan E. Kraisinger Lackner (nee Zajdel), 90, of Saxonburg, where she lived with her son, Chuck, and family, died on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, after a brief hospice stay. Joan, "Jo-Ann" to all who knew her, was born on Sept. 27, 1935, in a patch near South Greensburg known to many as "Red Onion." She was the daughter of the late William F. and Agnes E. Zajdel (nee Sedlacko). Joan was a loving wife for over 30 years to both of her husbands, William J. Kraisinger, who passed in 1985, and Frank J. Lackner, who passed in 2023. In addition to her parents and husbands, Joan was preceded in death by an infant son, James W. Kraisinger, in 1955; and two brothers, Frank J. Zajdel of Greensburg and Thomas R. Zajdel of Fairfax, VA. Joan graduated from Greensburg-Salem High School in 1953 and was employed as a telephone operator at the local telephone company shortly thereafter until she met her first husband, William "Bill" Kraisinger. They married in 1954, and Joan moved to Mt. Pleasant, where she worked in various capacities at the Kraisinger family business, Kraisinger's Market, while raising four rambunctious sons who managed somehow to become professionals in law, dentistry, engineering, and business. After Bill's death, Joan began working in the cafeteria at the newly opened Volkswagen factory just outside of town. It was here that Joan met her second husband, Frank Lackner. Joan and Frank married in 1990, and Joan moved out to the country, just outside of Latrobe near Baggaley, where they lived happily for the next 33 years. Joan was a loving sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt to those who survive her: her brother, William E. Zajdel (Irene); sons, Jerry (Alison), Paul, Chuck (Maricel), and Drew (Phyllis) Kraisinger; grandchildren, Laura, Joe, Tara, Cameron, Jon Paul, Owen, Elizabeth, Anna, and CJ; great-grandchildren, Carson, Enzo, Ruby, Graham, Sloane, and Teddie; and many nieces and nephews, worthy but too numerous to mention. Joan was a faithful member of St. Bruno's Catholic Church in South Greensburg, Visitation BVM Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant (where she was a member of its choir and Christian Mothers' Association), and most recently St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Whitney. In her later years when she was unable to attend mass in person, she never missed watching the daily mass on EWTN. Joan enjoyed listening to polkas, especially the "Joanne Polka," and watching every Pittsburgh sports team with great enthusiasm. She also loved to cook; it never seemed to matter whether it was for five or for 50. Joan worked tirelessly, and it seemed effortlessly, to entertain and welcome others into her home and family. She will be greatly missed by both her family and her many friends. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, at SLATER-REGA FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, 730 W. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, where parting prayers will begin at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Visitation Roman Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, and a reception at the Polish Falcons Club in Mt. Pleasant. Interment will be in the Visitation Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 740 Walnut St., Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666. Please visit Joan's online memorial at rega.slaterfuneral.com to sign the condolence guestbook. Richard Rega, funeral director.