Joe Fisher, 90, Dickinson died Saturday, November 21, 2015 at home in Dickinson surrounded by family members. Joe’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 25, 2015 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Msgr. Patrick Schumacher as the celebrant. Interment will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military honors will follow the Mass, provided by the Dickinson Honors Team. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Bob Zent presiding.
Joseph J. “Joe” Fisher was born on January 24, 1925, and raised on a farm south of South Heart, to Vincent and Anna (Ficek) Fisher. He was educated in New Hradec and South Heart. He attended Dickinson State College and graduated from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1949. Joe served honorably in the US Navy from 1943 to 1946, serving in the Pacific in a submarine, the USS Thornback.
On April 21, 1947, he married the love of his life, Clara M. Kudrna. Joe and Clara were blessed in love, family, and faith raising 6 children. After graduation, Joe worked in Billings Mont. for 5 years at Empire Heating and Cooling. He then became self-employed and owner of Sidney Sheet Metal Works for 8 years. In 1964, he returned to North Dakota and became an insurance agent for Farmers Union Insurance in Dickinson. Joe also prepared tax returns for H & R Block in Dickinson until he retired. During his life, he was active in many organizations, his faith and family. He was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus and the Elks and enjoyed playing cards and pool at the KC’s and St. Anthony Club. For many years he served as a Boy Scout leader and enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. He and Clara frequently attended daily mass at St. Wenceslaus.
Joe is survived by his wife Clara of 68 years; six children, Russell (Leilani) Fisher of Mira Loma, Calif., Jerry (Cindy) Fisher of Dickinson, Dave (Reyne) Fisher of Bismarck, Mike (Katie) Fisher of Bismarck, Paula (Chuck) Bisnett of Bismarck, Gene (Amy) Fisher of Fergus Falls Minn.; 13 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; one sister Martha Kadrmas; brothers-in-law Robert (Ann) Kudrna, Great Falls, Mont., Wayne David, Seattle, Wash., and Robert Braun, Orange, Calif. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a stillborn daughter; siblings and their spouses, Adolph (Francis) Fisher, Emma (Albert H.) Dvorak, Albert (Anna) Fisher, Mildred (Joe J.) Kadrmas, Mary (Frank Klein, Joe Maupin), Vincent (Gladys) Fisher; brothers-in-law, George Kadrmas, Albert (Norma) Kudrna; and sisters-in-law, Edith David, and Lilian Braun.
