Martin Fischer

Wednesday, June 7, 2017 4:04 pm

Martin Fischer, 79, of Festina, died Sunday, June 4, 2017, at Manor Care in Waterloo.Services are at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 8, at the Festina Parish Center in Festina, with Rev. Ginny Olson officiating. Accompanist is Lane Rich. Soloist is Don DiLaura (“Amazing Grace,” “One day at a Time”). Hymns are “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Go Rest High on that Mountain.” Honorary casket bearers are all of Martin’s nieces and nephews. Casket bearers are Martin’s grandchildren. Interment is at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Waterloo. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Martin William Fischer was born March 11, 1938, the son of Henry and Henrietta (Zeien) Fischer in Ossian. He was baptized and confirmed at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church. Martin married Bonnie Gerst June 11, 1965, in Peoria, Ill. Together they had three children: Martin, Regina and Shane. Martin also had three children from a previous marriage: Christina, Donald and Jeanette. He worked for Bruening Rock Products for many years before he started working for Wiltgen Construction. Martin worked for Wiltgen Construction from June of 2002 through December of 2016. He enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworking and
driving around looking for deer.

Martin is survived by his children: Martin William Jr. (Christine) Fischer, Ossian; Regina (Jeff) Kipp, Fort Atkinson; Shane (Sue) Fischer, Cedar Falls; Christina (Dan) Mulnix, Lincoln; Donald Fischer, Waterville, Kan. and Jeanette (Frank) Ritchie, Westminster, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert (Nancy) Fischer, Dinsdale and Jerry (Barbara) Fischer, Fort Atkinson; sister, Margaret Phillips, Waucoma.

Martin was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie, in 2011’ parents, Henry (Henrietta Zeien) Fischer; brothers, Mitchell (Diane) Fischer and Clarence Fischer; sisters, Venita Phillips and Mary Lou Bigler; father and mother-in-law, Rudolph (Mary) Gerst; brothers-in-law: Daniel (Marcella) Gerst, Eugene (Mikey) Gerst, Rudolph (Marilyn) Gerst and Derold (Beverly) Gerst; sisters-in-law, Wilhelmina (Homer) Davis and Kathleen (Hugh) Murray.