Verda L. Fisher
Verda Fisher, age 95 of Durand, died on Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Mayo Clinic Health Care-Eau Claire.
Verda was born on September 30, 1920, the daughter of Lawrence and Emma Olson of rural Black River Falls and was baptized on Oct. 30, 1920 by Pastor Louis Marvich. She attended grade and high school in Black River Falls and then enrolled at St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN where she majored in music and sang in the choir under the direction of F. Melius Christiansen. On March 9, 1941 she married James N. Fisher at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Black River Falls.
When World War II broke out, Verda worked at the Army Air Corp. Base in Tomah, WI as secretary for the Signal Corp. Officers in the cryptographic division. Her husband, a member of the Wisconsin Conservation Department, joined the United States Army Air Corp. When he was transferred to Stuttgart, Arkansas as a flight instructor, she joined him. At the end of the war, they returned to Black River Falls and were blessed with sons, Stephen and James.
The family soon moved to Wisconsin Rapids, WI where Verda's husband returned to work with the Wisconsin Conservation Dept. as secretary of the Wis. Conservation Congress.
In 1953, with her husband's change of work into the private sector, they moved to Eau Claire, becoming members of Grace Lutheran Church. Verda has been an active member of many church functions taking officer and leadership roles in choir, teaching religious day school, Women of Grace, Friendship and Reading clubs. In addition she was involved in the Eau Claire Women's Club, Civic Music, and Luther Hospital Auxiliary, volunteering in many community organizations. Verda was an avid reader and always had a colorful garden. She did needlepoint and shared her creations with her family.
Verda was preceded in death by her loving husband James, her sister Lavon Arron, her daughter in law Christine and her parents.
Survivors include her sons Stephen (Sainted Christine) of Durand WI; James (Rhonda) of Billings, MT.; 5 grandchildren; James (Heidi) of Minot, N.D.; Stephen (Shelly) of Dousman, Wi.; Lea (Mike) of Durand, WI.; Mickie, Santa Monica, CA.; Daniel (Angie) of Billings, MT. and seven great grandchildren.
Verda and Jim always considered themselves the most fortunate parents, parents-in-law and grandparents to have been blessed with such a fine family.
Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, July 2, 2016 at St. Johns church, Durand, with Rev. Daniel Pfaffe officiating. Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Eau Claire at a later date. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of services at the church on Saturday.
The family requests memorials in Verda’s name to either St John’s Lutheran Church, Durand, or to the Jim Fisher Memorial Scholarship Fund, Schofield 214, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Durand, is serving the family.