Phyllis Magdalena (Wendel) FISCHER

WENDELL, WENDEL, FISCHER, KUHLERS, ANDERSON, OSTENDORF

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/9/2016 at 15:49:06

September 27, 1926 ----- December 1, 2007

THORNTON, IOWA — Phyllis Fischer, Thornton, 81, died Saturday (Dec. 1, 2007) at the Muse Norris Hospice unit in Mason City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Salem United Methodist Church, Meservey. The Rev. Rose Marie Calderon-Khan and the Rev. Rodney Meester will be officiating. Burial will be in the Meservey cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Dugger Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick's Lane S. in Belmond, and one hour prior to services at the church.

Phyllis Magdalena Wendel was born on Sept. 27, 1926, the daughter of Henry and Reka (Kuhlers) Wendel. She lived the first ten years of her life on a farm three miles north of Meservey. In 1936, her family moved to a farm a mile across the field to the place where she would spend the rest of her life. She graduated from Meservey Consolidated School in 1944. Raised in a Christian home, she was baptized in the Salem Evangelical Church, Meservey. She was active in all youth activites and after completing Catechism, she joined the Evangelical Church in 1940. After graduation, she was the primary caregiver of her ailing mother and assisted her father with running the farm.

On Oct. 22, 1947, she married her soulmate, Dale Fischer at the E.U.B. Church in Meservey. To this union was born three sons. Working side-by-side with Dale to run the farm and raise her sons was the focus of her many activities.

Phyllis was an active member of the Salem United Methodist Church serving as a Sunday School teacher, Youth Director, member of the Mary Circle and President of the General UMW. She was involved in multiple leadership roles in the American Legion Auxiliary at the local, country and district levels. She was a strong advocate of the beef industry and served in leadership roles in the country and state CattleWomen's Association.

Phyllis was blessed with the gifts of encouragement and hospitality. A card or letter could be expected by family, friends, and acquaintances to celebrate an event or provide comfort. The coffeepot was ready and freshly baked treats welcomed her many guests. Her home-made angel food cake was renowned.

She loved attending the activities of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. From sporting events to cattle shows at the state and national level, Phyllis could be counted on for support.

Phyllis is survived by her husband of 60 years, Dale, Thornton; her three sons: Don (Marilyn), Winston, Mo., Randy (Vikki), Thornton, Mark (Susan), Ankeny; seven grandchildren: Douglas (Shelly) Fischer, Parkersburg, Matthew (Andrea) Fischer, St. Joseph, Mo., Michael (Megan) Fischer, Olathe, Kan., Abby (Mike) Anderson, Ames, Adam (Amy) Ostendorf, North Liberty, Jacob and Justin Fischer, Ankeny; six great-grandchildren: Cindy, Lindsey, Bret, Ella, and Kate Fischer and Delaney Anderson. She is also survived by an aunt, Grace Kuhlers, Belmond. Six nieces and nephews also survive. Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents; step-mother; one niece and two nephews. Dugger Ewing Funeral Home.