1928
Mary
2012
Mary Colleen (Salmon) Fischer
August 19, 1928 — September 8, 2012
Mary (Colleen) Fischer died peacefully in her sleep, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Barron, Wisconsin on September 8th 2012 after a brief fight with cancer. Colleen was born on August 19, 1928 in Saint Paul, MN to Thomas and Clarissa “Clara” (O’ Donnell) Salmon of Cylon, WI.
Colleen grew up in Cylon with her beloved sister and best friend, Ann. She graduated from New Richmond High School in 1946. After graduation, Colleen worked in Stillwater, MN for Maple Island Dairies. Shortly after, Colleen met the love of her life, James Fischer and they were married on July 16, 1949 in Cylon. They began their 59 year marriage in Bayport, MN where they had two daughters, Mikki and Patti. In 1954 Jim and Colleen bought a Maple Island milk route in Chetek where they made their home for the rest of their lives. The birth of four sons: Jim Jr, Mike, Dave and Dan quickly followed the move to Chetek. Colleen and Jim loved Chetek and the joy of raising a family in God’s Country with days filled with picnics, swimming, boating, fishing, sledding and ice skating. Colleen was involved in a variety of community organizations including: Cub Scout den mother, parent teacher organization and room mother, Gregarson Homemakers, book clubs, CCD teacher, Chetek Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Auxiliary Post 179, and the Altar Society of St Boniface Catholic Church where she was a parishioner since 1955.
Colleen was a stay at home mom until the late 1960’s. Jim and Colleen managed the Chetek American Legion Club for a short time. She was a waitress at The Pokegama restaurant for over 20 years. After retiring from Pokegama, she worked for another 18 years as a librarian at the Chetek Public Library.
Her passions were her family, reading, and praying. She was an avid political blog follower and kept up with her family and friends on facebook. She was happiest playing on the floor with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and reveling in the noise and chaos of family get-togethers.
Colleen’s warmth and humor touched many, many lives and she was dearly loved by all who knew her. Her many medical problems the last 20 years taught all of us how to survive with faith, dignity and spunk.
She leaves to celebrate her memory: her children; Michelle “Mikki” Fischer-Jerdet, Chetek, WI; Patti (Larry) Otto, Chetek, WI; James (Sue) Fischer, Maplewood, MN; David Fischer, Chetek, WI; Dan (Debra) Fischer, Ankeny, IA; her grandchildren; Kelli Engen, Matthew Otto, Sarah Otto, Rebecca Ludwig, Nichelle Gabbard, Kelly Kausel, Chris Fischer, Josh Fischer, Angela Shuppert, Stefanie Fischer, great grandchildren; Jared, Hannah and Andie Otto, Daylen, Bowen and Collin Ludwig, Bennet Engen, Noah Kausel and Baby Shuppert, nieces, nephews and other loving family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James in 2008, son, Michael and her sister, Gloria Ann Parent.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Chetek on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Jack Kissling celebrating. The family will greet visitors at the church on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of Mass. Colleen will then be laid to rest at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Chetek.
The Burnham-Ours Funeral Home of Chetek has been entrusted with arrangements. To express condolences online, please visit www.burnhamours.com.
Colleen grew up in Cylon with her beloved sister and best friend, Ann. She graduated from New Richmond High School in 1946. After graduation, Colleen worked in Stillwater, MN for Maple Island Dairies. Shortly after, Colleen met the love of her life, James Fischer and they were married on July 16, 1949 in Cylon. They began their 59 year marriage in Bayport, MN where they had two daughters, Mikki and Patti. In 1954 Jim and Colleen bought a Maple Island milk route in Chetek where they made their home for the rest of their lives. The birth of four sons: Jim Jr, Mike, Dave and Dan quickly followed the move to Chetek. Colleen and Jim loved Chetek and the joy of raising a family in God’s Country with days filled with picnics, swimming, boating, fishing, sledding and ice skating. Colleen was involved in a variety of community organizations including: Cub Scout den mother, parent teacher organization and room mother, Gregarson Homemakers, book clubs, CCD teacher, Chetek Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Auxiliary Post 179, and the Altar Society of St Boniface Catholic Church where she was a parishioner since 1955.
Colleen was a stay at home mom until the late 1960’s. Jim and Colleen managed the Chetek American Legion Club for a short time. She was a waitress at The Pokegama restaurant for over 20 years. After retiring from Pokegama, she worked for another 18 years as a librarian at the Chetek Public Library.
Her passions were her family, reading, and praying. She was an avid political blog follower and kept up with her family and friends on facebook. She was happiest playing on the floor with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and reveling in the noise and chaos of family get-togethers.
Colleen’s warmth and humor touched many, many lives and she was dearly loved by all who knew her. Her many medical problems the last 20 years taught all of us how to survive with faith, dignity and spunk.
She leaves to celebrate her memory: her children; Michelle “Mikki” Fischer-Jerdet, Chetek, WI; Patti (Larry) Otto, Chetek, WI; James (Sue) Fischer, Maplewood, MN; David Fischer, Chetek, WI; Dan (Debra) Fischer, Ankeny, IA; her grandchildren; Kelli Engen, Matthew Otto, Sarah Otto, Rebecca Ludwig, Nichelle Gabbard, Kelly Kausel, Chris Fischer, Josh Fischer, Angela Shuppert, Stefanie Fischer, great grandchildren; Jared, Hannah and Andie Otto, Daylen, Bowen and Collin Ludwig, Bennet Engen, Noah Kausel and Baby Shuppert, nieces, nephews and other loving family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James in 2008, son, Michael and her sister, Gloria Ann Parent.
A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Chetek on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Jack Kissling celebrating. The family will greet visitors at the church on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of Mass. Colleen will then be laid to rest at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Chetek.
The Burnham-Ours Funeral Home of Chetek has been entrusted with arrangements. To express condolences online, please visit www.burnhamours.com.
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