Lois Jean Fisher
Cold Spring
July 18, 1935-Oct. 7, 2023
Lois Jean Fisher, 88, beloved sister, mother, grandmother and friend, died peacefully Oct. 7. She leaves behind a strongly connected family, many lasting memories and a legacy of commitment, responsibility and creativity.
Her funeral will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, with visitation at 4 p.m., at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, 215 S. Seventh St., Fargo, N.D. Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27 at the Carlos (Minn.) Prairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in her memory to the Bethany Retirement Living Foundation or the Fargo Public Schools Foundation Fargo North Swim & Dive Scholarship.
Fisher was born on July 18, 1935 in Caledonia, Minn., to her parents Julia and Horace Thomas. She had three siblings: an older brother, Richard, and two younger sisters Priscilla (Janie) and Nancy. The Thomas family moved from Caledonia to Spring Valley, Minn., before settling in St. Paul on Buford Avenue where much of her formative years were spent.
Fisher graduated from Murray High School in 1953 and attended the University of Minnesota where she met her husband George Robert Fisher. Lois earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics in 1957. George and Lois married in 1958 and moved to Fargo, where they started their family. They would go on to raise four sons and were heavily involved in the communities of school, church and their kids’ various athletic activities. In addition to being committed to her family, Fisher maintained her interest in education. She earned her master’s degree in art education from Moorhead State University, a doctorate in education administration from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, in 1981 and went on to pursue a career as a continuing education advisor at MSU.
After ushering her children through to adulthood and the untimely passing of her husband, Fisher decided to take early retirement from her career to pursue her creative interests. In the mid-90s she moved to an old Thomas family property on Lake Carlos near Alexandria, Minn., where she built a new home that would serve as a gathering place for her family for many years. Over time she welcomed eight grandchildren all of whom got to enjoy their time swimming and boating on the lake. And Fisher got the full opportunity to express her creativity. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing much of her own clothes and producing quilts for her family. It can also be said she possessed a prodigious talent and endurance for combing through the endless aisles of fabric stores looking for just the right fabric (each of her sons can attest to this).
In the warmer months, Fisher spent less time sewing and more time outside gardening. She preferred a natural prairie garden to a finely manicured lawn and she spent care in selecting and nurturing plants that were native to central Minnesota.
In her later years Fisher moved to Cold Spring, Minn., where she could live independently and still make trips into Minneapolis and St Paul to attend theater and opera performances. She also established a connection to the Methodist church in Sartell.
Throughout her years, Fisher maintained a strong curiosity about the world. She took the opportunity to travel to several destinations that included Europe, South Africa, China and Russia. She brought back stories and photographs from her travels. Fisher was a quiet, still person, but behind her stillness was a determination and belief in constantly trying new things, learning about the world and experiencing life for yourself by your own rules.
Survivors include her sons and their spouses: George (Skip) & Heidi; Gary & Wendy, Richard & Barb and John & Laura; her eight grandchildren: Kaylee (Eric), Grant, Shane, Tate, Coghlan, Peyton, Esme and Elsa; her sister Priscilla (Janie); and many extended family members who’ve shared cherished memories with Fisher throughout the years.
She was preceded in death by her husband George; her parents, Horace and Julia; her brother, Richard; and her sister, Nancy.
All of us who shared our time with Fisher are grateful to have been influenced by her dedication, stubborn determination and enduring patience. Her creativity, intelligence and steady presence have been an inspiration and will be missed.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.hansonrunsvold.com.
