Fisher, Arlin Raymond -- 1922 - 1993
FISHER, PFISTER, HOVDEN, TWETEN, BOUTTE, VICKERMAN, HEGTVEDT
Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 12/30/2011 at 13:45:28
Arlin was born in Canoe Township on October 28, 1922, the fifth child of Fred and Louise (Pfister) Fisher. He was baptized and confirmed here at St. John's and of this congregation he has been a lifelong member. He attended rural school in Canoe Township through the eighth grade.
During the depression and early war years, Arlin held a number of jobs, working on farms, at Libby Foods in Rochester, and at the arsenal in Rock Island, Illinois.On May 22, 1944 he enlisted in the Navy and served as a Machinist Mate, 3rd Class aboard the USS LSM332, a landing craft which delivered marines to islands in the North Pacific during World War H. As for many of his generation, the war experience was a powerful one for Arlin, and he became an active member of both the VFW and American Legion in Mabel.
Upon his release from military service on June 8, 1946, Arlin returned to northeast Iowa and bought a Standard Gas truck route which he worked until he bought the home farm from his father in 1952. Nineteen Fifty-Two was a watershed year. Not only did he buy a farm, he married Janet Hovden of Ridgeway on September 29 at Madison Lutheran Church. Arlin and Janet had five children: Jolene, born in 1956; Tammy in I960; Daniel in 1962, Michael in 1963; and Michele in 1965.
Arlin enjoyed farming for many years, and both were active here at St, John's where Arlin served on the church council and as usher. In recent years he enjoyed hauling boats for his son-in-law, Denis Tweten, who manages Upper Iowa Marine in Decorah.
Janet struggled with diabetes much of her life, and she became one of the first diabetics to have a kidney transplant. Her condition required prolonged stays at St. Mary’s in Rochester where Arlin faithfully attended her. She died on January 5, 1983. Since that time, Arlin himself underwent heart valve surgery—not once, but twice, when the first valve didn’t fit right. But in spite of his heart troubles he remained active and outgoing, enjoying the company of family and friends right to the end. Last Thursday evening, Arlin went with Tammy and Ron to the North Winn Elementary School Christmas Concert in which his granddaughters, Amber and Heather, were singing. Bursting with enthusiasm afterward, he spread his Christmas cheer one last time, went home, went to bed, and without more ado, slipped away during the night.
Arlin is survived by his daughters, Jolene (Denis) Tweten, Tammy (Ron) Boutte, Michele (Gary) Vickerman; his son Daniel; eight grandchildren— Jason, Shawn, & Heather Tweten; Amber & Aaron Boutte; and Jeremy, Chelsey, & Kya Vickerman—all living in or around Decorah, and three step grandchildren—Allen, Amy, & Holly Vickerman of Spring Grove, Minnesota. He is also survived by his brother Norman of Decorah and his sister Doris Hegtvedt of Iowa City.
Arlin was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his son Michael, three brothers—Harold, Robert, and Lloyd; his sister-in-law Helen Hovden; and his mother-in-law, Olga Hovden.
Blessed be the memory of Arlin Raymond Fisher.
Source: Funeral Home bulletin
Obit submitted by John Matter jmatter@q.com
Locust Cemetery aka Saint John
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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