Donald
F. Fischer, age 85, retired orthodontist, passed away peacefully Saturday,
September 3, 2005, at the Marias Medical Center in Shelby.
Visitation starts 1 p.m., Tuesday with a vigil service at 7 p.m. at the Whitted
Funeral Chapel in Shelby. Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 7th
at St. William Catholic Church in Shelby with burial in Mountain View Cemetery.
Condolences can be sent to the family at
www.whittedfuneralchapel.com.
He was born November 2nd, 1919 in Wales, North Dakota. The family moved to Belt in 1923 where his father owned a grain elevator and then to Judith Gap where they acquired another elevator. Following the collapse of the family grain business in Judith Gap and Belt because of drought and the depression in the late 1920s, the Fischer family moved to various locations in Saskatchewan and Alberta, finally settling in Beiseker Alberta, where Don and his 4 brothers and sisters lived until the early 40s.
In August of 1941 he volunteered for the Royal Canadian Air Force. While in Alberta he met and married Frances Schmaltz in May of 1942. Later that year, he was shipped overseas and spent three years in England where in 1943 he transferred to the U. S. Army Air Force. He spent the remainder of his time stationed in England and France.
His son James was born in Calgary in March of 1943, and after returning home from the war he moved Fran and Jim to Conrad in July of 1946 where his daughter Linda was born. While in Conrad, he worked as a bookkeeper for Conrad Implement. In 1947 he moved his family to Edmonton, Alberta where he obtained his dental degree, graduating from the University of Alberta in 1952. His class celebrated their 50 year reunion in Jasper, Alberta in 2002 and Don was able to attend and reacquaint with many classmates for great stories and fond school memories.
Don began practicing dentistry in Dr. Joyce*s office in the old Toole County courthouse and practiced dentistry and orthodontics until his retirement in 1983. His office, at one time located above the Sports Club, was severely damaged by fire in 1959.
Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife Fran in February of 2002, his parents Frank and Edith, his brothers Dale and Mark and an infant child.
Survivors include his son, Jim Fischer and his wife Sara and their children James, (currently second year at Annapolis Naval Academy), Kate (a senior in high school) and Sean (a freshman in high school); his daughter, Linda Lee and her husband Don Lee of Shelby and their children, Rob (middle school teacher), Brian (Kai) (recent graduate of U of M school of law) and David (who currently is stationed in Iraq) and sisters, Betty (Bob) Wickerd of Lebanen, Oregon and Jan Johnson of Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Don was a gentle man who lived his life according to Christian principles. He was a shining example for his children, their mates, his grandchildren, and all who met him. The loves in his life included his wife Fran to whom he was married for 51 years, flying, bridge (life master), golf, music, laughter, and fun. His well-known sense of humor and his propensity to smile much and laugh often will continue to inspire those who knew him. His gifts to the world were his positive attitude and his incredible kindness. He was a Grand Knight and member of the Knights of Columbus, past secretary treasurer of the Shelby Jaycees, lifetime member of the Shelby Elks, lifetime member of the Shelby VFW Club, past president of the Shelby Country Club, past president of the Marias Valley Golf and Country Club, past president and board member of the Montana State Golf Association, 1983 inductee to the Montana State Golf Association Hall of Fame, and he was also a devoted member of St. William Catholic church since 1952. Dad and Gramps will be greatly missed by us all. We are grateful to the good Lord that he is finally at peace.
To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people, the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson