Sheldon Lewis Fisher, 94, peacefully passed away to his rest the morning of May 2, 2021 in his home at Antelope with his son Craig by his side. Sheldon’s Celebration of Life Service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with Pastor Terry Pflugrad officiating.
Sheldon was born March 12, 1927 in Antelope to Frank Fisher and Viola (Toepke) Fisher. He had two sisters, Beryl Sievers and Shirley Holbrook.
Sheldon attended grade school through the eighth grade at the small country school at Antelope and high school at Sheyenne River Academy, graduating in 1944. He taught briefly after his graduation, but returned to work on the family farm after the death of his mother in 1945, eventually taking over the farming operation in the early seventies. While traveling between North Dakota and Oregon for work in the off season, he stopped to attend church at the Missoula Seventh-Day Adventist Church and met his future wife Kathleen Davis. They were married July 14, 1959 in that same church.
Together they were foster parents to Robert Lee, and also raised their five children, Sharon, Vaunda, Sheleen, Craig and Shannon on the family farm at Antelope. On their farm, they also raised sheep, and ran Spring Creek Flour Mill for several years.
In 1980 the family moved to Milton-Freewater, Ore. While there Sheldon became involved in Maranatha Missions, helping to build churches, orphanages and schools in many countries. This led to a love of traveling that took him to every continent except Antarctica.
Sheldon was an avid collector, and had a love of history that led him to several cross-country trips, making lasting friendships, and adding to his collections on the way.
Sheldon was very active in the Seventh-Adventist Church and was instrumental in the building of Dakota Adventist Academy in Bismarck. His dedication to Christian education led him to help countless children through both Academy and College. His love and dedication to his family kept him active on the family farm for many years after his retirement.
Sheldon is survived by Kathleen; Robert (Myra) Lee; his children, Sharon (Gary) Messer, Vaunda Fisher, Sheleen Fisher, Craig (Amanda) Fisher and Shannon (Galen) Drake; grandchildren, Marcy, Jamen, Heidi, Tony, Genie, Charlotte, Nikki, Levi, Mitchell, Ashley, Amanda, MacKenzie, Travis, Ryan, Mindy, Justin, Noah, Zoe, Trystan, Joel, Brenna, Crystal and several great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Viola; and his sisters, Beryl and Shirley.
He will be missed by all who knew him. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21