Raymond J. Fischer (Ray), 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, December, 28 2014 at Acorn Hill Senior Living Community under the care of Interim Hospice. Ray was born in Shawano County on November 24, 1918 son of the late Frank and Laura (Lex) Fischer. In June 1939 he married Margaret Bossell at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Phlox, Wisconsin, she survives. Ray lived in the Aniwa & Birnamwood area for nearly 90 years and his life revolved around farming – he was a dairy and beef farmer and a milk truck driver. He also worked for the Wausau Iron Works and D.C. Everest Schools for a time. He enjoyed getting together with family and friends, raising beef cattle, growing nursery trees, fishing and taking care of his family especially, his wife of 75 years, Marge. Ray and Marge celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on June 8, 2014 at Birchwood Highlands in Weston, WI. He was a member of St. Boniface Church in Aniwa, WI where he enjoyed singing in the choir, and serving on parish council. He was a member of the Holy Name society. Ray had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, his singing brought joy to others. He would sing “”How Great Thou Art” every day to his wife and to those who would lend an ear.
Ray is survived by two daughters, Judith (Robert “Willie”) Brandt, Weston Wisconsin, Karen Fischer Tucson Arizona, and two sons James (Madelyn) Fischer, Apopka Florida, John (Janet) Fischer, Birnamwood Wisconsin. He has 11 surviving grandchildren including Joel (Raeann) Brandt, Todd (Teresa) Brandt, Kim (Shawn) Buntin, Christina (Joe Thomas) Weber, Jane (Joe) Heil, Andrew Weber, Paul (Carrie) Fischer, Jessica Fischer, Sarah Enke, Allison (Tony) Quinlan, Kate (Jimmy Dunn) Fischer, Ben (Courtney) Fischer. There are also twenty great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren.
Ray also has one surviving brother Harry (Delores) Fischer of Norrie, Wisconsin and five sisters-in-law: Marjorie Fischer Appleton, WI, Edna Fischer Wausau, WI, Dorothy Fischer Wittenberg, WI, Betty Fischer Green Bay, WI and Marie Fischer, Milwaukee, WI as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by eleven of his brothers and sisters and some of their spouses: Barbara (John Beck, Rudy Mondl), John (Pauline) Fischer, Mary (Otto) Lambrecht, Joe (Bernice) Fischer, Frank Fischer, Ed Fischer, William (Mary) Fischer, Robert Fischer, Phillip Fischer, Lawrence Fischer, Delores (Don) Fremming. Also preceding him in death was his granddaughter Diane (Weber) Anderson.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am on Friday, January 2, 2015 at St. Philomena Catholic Church, Birnamwood. Fr. Anthony Ibekwe will officiate. Interment will be in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, Aniwa. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4pm until 8pm at Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood and on Friday from 9am until the time of the service at the church. Condolences and memories may be shared at schmidtsculta.com.
The family would like to thank Rose and her wonderful staff of Acorn Hill Senior Living Community for their kind and compassionate care given to Ray and Marge and also thank Interim Hospice for their caring staff and excellent care.