Esther Marie Fischer

Esther Marie Fischer, 92, of McFarland, and a former resident of Rhinelander, passed away on Saturday morning, March 30, 2024, at Nazareth Health & Rehab and under the care of Agrace Hospice Care.

Esther was born in Newell, South Dakota on April 16, 1931, to Carl and Olive (Mitchell) Anderson. She was raised in Newell, South Dakota living on the family sheep and sugar beet farm. Esther graduated from Newell High School in 1949 continuing her education at Yankton College in Yankton, South Dakota. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English on June 1, 1953.

While at college, Esther met her future husband, Robert Fischer, while working at the front desk at Yankton College. The couple were married on Dec. 21, 1953, in Sioux City, Iowa. For the next two years, due to Robert’s enlistment in the Marines, Esther lived in Hawaii and Virginia. They returned to Wisconsin first living in Tomahawk from 1956 until 1960. They then moved to Rhinelander in 1960. Esther was fortunate to remain at home raising the children. From 1976 until 2004 she was employed with the School District of Rhinelander as a special education aid at South Park Elementary School.

Esther was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, and a former member of the Rhinelander PTA, and a chaperone with the Belles of St. Mary’s.

Esther was an amazing cook and baker and will be remembered by her family for always having chocolate chip cookies available. Anyone visiting first gave mom a hug, then went straight to the freezer to raid the cookie tins. She would be happy to provide the dessert for any cookout or potluck.

She loved taking time for yoga, paddling her kayak on East Horsehead Lake until the age of 90, Monday poker games with the card ladies, meeting with the South Park retirees, fishing, trips to South Dakota, South Korea, Hawaii, and the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wednesday evening dinner with Tom and Nan Moritz at Pizza Haven. Esther loved visiting her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She cheered for every track and cross-country meet, basketball, softball, volleyball, and baseball games.

She will be remembered for her sewing skills, which allowed her to help others. Half of Rhinelander had Esther hem, take in or out waistbands, create curtains, quilts, bridesmaid dresses, and table runners.

Surviving are her children, Liz (Al) Reischel of Rhinelander, Julie Towne of Green Bay, William “Bill” (Mary) Fischer of Van Dyne, Cathy (Dennis) Ice of Amarillo, Texas, Patty (Russ) Crane of McFarland; six grandchildren, Laura (Jay) Allard, Kyle (Christine) Fischer, Jordan (Christina) Fischer, Amy (Jon) Wedell, Samantha Crane and Evan Crane; four great-grandchildren, Brody, Elle, Benji and Arden; one sister, Jane Friedel of Sturgis, South Dakota, brother-in-law, Dean Gretschmann of Pierre, South Dakota, and nephew’s wife, Nan Moritz of Rhinelander. 

Also surviving are nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Olive Anderson, husband, Robert Fischer, on Dec. 5, 2012, son-in-law, Tim Towne, and siblings, Mary (Merle) Hade, Dale (Clarice) Anderson, Catherine (Curt) Satzinger, Col. Kenneth (Mary) Anderson, and Judy Gretschmann.

The visitation for Esther will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Hildebrand Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. A second visitation will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church located at 125 E. King Street, from 10:30 a.m. until the 11:30 a.m. Memorial Mass. 

Fr. Chris Kemp will officiate.

Entombment will take place at a later date at Northwood’s National Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. 

Everyone is invited to sign the guestbook or leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.