Dale J. FISCHER

FISCHER, JANSSEN, WENDEL, WESSELS, ANDERSON, OSTENDORF

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/14/2013 at 17:28:51

November 7, 1926 --- January 10, 2013

Dale J. Fischer was born November, 7, 1926, at Meservey, Iowa, to Simon Peter Fischer and Reaka Janssen Fischer and died suddenly January 10, 2013, at his farm home. Funeral services for Dale J. Fischer will be held at 10:30 A.M. Monday January 14, 2013 at the First Reformed Church in Meservey. Pastor Rodney Meester will officiate. Burial will take place in the Meservey Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be provided by the William Schmale American Legion Post #171 of Meservey. Visitation for Dale J. Fischer will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. Sunday January 13, 2013 at the Dugger Funeral Home, 111 Luick's Lane South in Belmond and will continue one hour prior to services on Monday at the church.

Dale began his schooling in Meservey, IA. During his last two years of high school, he worked for area farmers. He graduated from Meservey High School the spring of 1944. That fall, he joined the Army and served in various locations including Benshiem, Germany for 10 months following WW II, where he was a mechanic. He was honorably discharged in November, 1946.

Dale married Phyllis M. Wendel October 22, 1947. To this union three sons were born: Don, Randy, and Mark. Dale and Phyllis celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2007. Dale and Phyllis began farming the family farm north of Meservey after their marriage and his farming career spanned 65 years. They raised row crops, various livestock, and were particularly recognized for their Polled Hereford cattle. The operation later became Fischer Land and Cattle Company.

Dale was active in his community all his life. He began his Christian journey as a member of the Salem Evangelical Church in Meservey. He held many offices in his church, served on the Administrative Board as well as represented the church at Annual Conference. In 2011, he transferred to the Meservey Reformed Church. Dale was a 65 year member of the William Schmale Post 171 American Legion and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. In 2009, he flew to Washington, D.C. on the Honor Flight for WW II veterans. A highlight of this flight was having a home-town pilot, Billy Greer.

Dale served as Director for the Farmers’ Gas and Oil Company in Mason City and was Township Trustee a number of years. He was also employed as a Grain Inspector for two townships. He was a member of the School Board for the newly formed Meservey-Thornton school district for over six years and was a Director for the Klemme Co-op for nine years, serving as secretary the last two years. Dale was a Director of the Iowa Polled Hereford Association, a charter member and past president of the Cerro Gordo County Cattleman's Association, a charter member of the Iowa Cattleman’s Association, and a charter member of the National Cattleman's Beef Association. In 1992, he was named the Iowa Commercial Cattleman of the Year. He was also a member of the American Soybean Association, Iowa Soybean Association, National Corn Growers’ Association and Iowa Corn Growers' Association. Dale was a strong supporter of the North Iowa Fair and the Iowa State Fair and longtime 4-H leader. Dale and Phyllis enjoyed watching many cattle shows and sports events throughout the Midwest to see their sons and grandsons show cattle, play basketball, and run track as well as various other school and church activities.

Dale was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis in 2007; his parents; and his sister Gladys Wessels. He is survived by sons: Don (Marilyn), Winston, MO; Randy (Vikki), Thornton, IA; Mark (Susan), Ankeny, IA; and seven grandchildren: Doug (Shelly) Fischer, Dike, IA; Matt (Andrea) Fischer, St. Joseph, MO; Michael (Megan) Fischer, Parkville, MO; Abby (Mike) Anderson, Ames, IA; Dr. Adam (Amy) Ostendorf, St. Louis, MO; Justin and Jacob Fischer, Ankeny, IA; ten great-grandchildren: Cindy, Lindsey, Bret, Ella, Kate & Vivian Fischer; Delaney, Avery & Colin Anderson; and Cora Ostendorf; and six nieces and nephews.

Dugger Funeral Home
http://www.duggerfunerals.com/CurrentServices.html