Joan Regina Dykowski Rister

Joan Regina Dykowski Rister, 80 of Round Rock, Texas went to be with her Heavenly Father on December 17, 2025.

Joan was born on June 26, 1945, in Taylor, Texas to Edward John Dykowski and Frances Marie (Nemec) Dykowski.

As a young child she attended catholic grade school at SS. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church and a proud graduate of Granger High School in 1963.

Joan’s lifelong romance with Ernest Lee Rister, Jr. began in high school that sparked a "match made in heaven" that turned the two into high school sweethearts.

Upon graduation from Granger High School, Joan moved to Austin to attend and graduate from business school.

Joan and Ernest married on January 22, 1967, a union that lasted nearly 59 years.

Ernest and Joan married shortly before Ernest began his service in the United States Marine Corps. The couple was stationed along the Eastern Seaboard, where Joan embraced her role as a military wife, volunteering her time and entertaining other officers and their families. During this period, they welcomed two children, Shelley and Bucky. Joan's enduring passion for the University of Texas and Longhorn football was well-known, a pride she displayed with a UT sign at both their officer housing and their Texas home.

In 1975, the family relocated to Round Rock, Texas. Joan remained an active community member, volunteering with the Lady Chaparrals businesswomen’s organization, her children’s local elementary school, and their local parish. In 1976, she began a successful career at Behrens Appraisal, from which she retired in 1995.

Throughout their lives, Joan and Ernest traveled extensively across the United States, Europe and Asia. If you knew Joan, you knew she had a competitive spirit. Boy did she love going to Las Vegas with her brother Ed, sister-in-law Corrine and many friends, playing the slot machines and blackjack for hours. She enjoyed playing dominoes, cards, watching college and professional football (and occasionally placing a friendly wager), and dedicated her spare time to passionately supporting her grandchildren, Camryn and Zachary, at their sporting events. Ringing cow bells proudly in the stands. Above all, she found immense joy in being 'AJ' to her many nieces and nephews and 'Mimi' to her beloved grandchildren Camryn and Zachary, and their friends.

Joan possessed a unique charisma; she never met a stranger. Quick-witted and with a feisty spirit, her generous and selfless nature fostered countless lifelong friendships that profoundly enriched her existence. She embraced life to its absolute fullest, demonstrating passion in every endeavor.

Joan always had a great time and made it her mission to ensure everyone around her shared in that joy.

We find peace in the celebration of Joan's eternal life with the Lord, where her bright spirit continues to shine. We will always carry her love as our guiding light and are deeply thankful for the selfless contributions she made to each of us.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Edward John and Frances (Nemec) Dykowski; son Ernest Lee Rister III, brothers, Edward, Marvin and John; sisters, Valeria Cepak and Doris (Leonard) Lane; sister-in-law Patsy Brookshire Dundas, brothers-in-law John Rister, Ralph Brookshire, and Larry Brinkmeyer

Joan is survived by her husband of 58 years Ernest Lee Rister, Jr., daughter Shelley (Rister) Middlebrook, son-in-law Malcolm Middlebrook, granddaughter Camryn Middlebrook, grandson Zachary Middlebrook (Jailyn Fenninger), great-grandson Ashton James Middlebrook, all from Round Rock, Texas, sisters-in-law Corrine Dykowski, Elizabeth Dykowski, Elizabeth Joan Brinkmeyer, Linda Rister, many nieces and nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, and great-great-nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Pallbearers are Malcolm Middlebrook, Zachary Middlebrook, Bubba Cepak, Michael Dykowski, Stephen Dykowski, Gary Don Lane, Lance Lane, and Drew Fulton.

Honorary Pallbearer is John Alan Dykowski

The family would like to send special thank you to the caring staff of Enhabit Home Health & Hospice. Our heartfelt gratitude to Rebekah Brazell, CNA and RN Renee who graciously provided love and support over this past year caring for Joan.

• Monday, December 29, 2025 SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church 100 N. Brazos Granger, Texas 76530
• 8:00 a.m. Visitation
• 9:00 a.m. Rosary
• 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass
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• Burial following Funeral Mass at:
• Calvary Cemetery
• 451 Co Rd 335
• Granger, TX 76530
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• Reception to follow burial at: SS Cyril & Methodius
• Parish Recreation Center
• 500 W Davilla Street
• Granger, TX 76530