Fischer, Barbara (Gudvangen) 1948 - 2020

FISCHER, GUDVANGEN, STEELE, JOYCE, MCCLEMENT, PHILLIPS, BIGLER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/23/2020 at 10:48:08

Barbara Fischer, age 71 of Ft. Atkinson, IA, left this world peacefully on January 14, 2020 at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital in Lacrosse, WI, surrounded by her family.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home Chekal Chapel, 201 Main Street in Fort Atkinson with Rev. Anita Neutzman presiding.

Visitation will follow the service until 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the NE Iowa Humane Society, Decorah, IA at hsnei.org or by mailing a check to 2345 Millennium Road, Decorah, IA 52101.

Barbara Louise (Gudvangen) Fischer was born November 14, 1948 in Decorah IA to Melvin and Evelyn (Steele) Gudvangen. She was the middle of three daughters born of this union. Barbara graduated in 1966 from Thomas Roberts High School in Decorah, IA. In high school she was active in the Office Executive Club and worked part time in a local attorney’s office. On May 17, 1969, Barb married Jerry Fischer at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in Decorah, IA. To this union, three children were born: Lee, Jesse and Tara. Barbara worked for Meyer, Lorentzen, and Nelson as the office manager for most of her working career. In 1995 the family purchased the Little-O Drive In, in Calmar, IA and Barbara began managing the restaurant until the business was sold and Barbara then retired. Barbara was a compassionate person who loved all creatures and never spoke a bad word about anyone. She had an innate ability to listen without voicing her opinion or passing judgment. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who always put the needs of others before hers. She especially loved having grandchildren and would drop everything if they needed her. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy in life. Barbara enjoyed her three dogs; Chloe, Roxy, and Hunter. She also enjoyed spending the time she could outside with her cats.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 50 years: Jerry. Children: Lee (Kathy) Fischer, Fort Atkinson, IA; Jesse Fischer, Fort Atkinson, IA and Tara (friend: Jerry Gohring) Joyce, Toledo, IA. Grandchildren: Sara, Kimberly, Ashley, Karleigh, Brendon, Connor, Landon and Izak.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents: Melvin and Evelyn (Steele) Gudvangen. Sisters: Marlene and Carol Ann McClement. Half-brothers: Clarence Steele and Everett Steele. Bothers-in-law: Martin, Mitchell, and Clarence Fischer. Sisters-in-law: Venita Phillips and Mary Lou Bigler.

Source: Schluter-Balik Funeral Home database

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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