Eugene M. Fischer
January 17, 1924 - May 11, 2015
Eugene Fischer, age 91, of Hull, Iowa, formerly of Eureka, South Dakota, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2015, at the Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull.
There will be a funeral service on Friday, May 15, at 10:30am, at the First Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Kevin Yurk will officiate. Interment will be in the Eureka Cemetery.
Eugene was born on January 17, 1924, on a farm homesteaded by his grandfather ten miles from Eureka, the second oldest of what were to be eight children. He was the son of Matt K. and Katie (Hagel) Fischer. He was educated at a country school west of the farm through the eighth grade. He came of age during the heart of the Dirty Thirties, so he learned to work hard, to overcome obstacles, and to be resourceful. He had a talent for working with livestock, especially horses.
After completing school, he stayed home to work on the family farm. He learned fast and had a reputation as a hard worker. When he was only eleven years old, he worked all day long, during harvest season, driving the header box. From that time on, he was often sought out by neighbors as hired help.
At age 22, he married Bernice Odel Meidinger. For two years, they farmed with Bernice’s parents and eventually took over the farm. He and Bernice had three children: David, who now lives on the family farm; Judy Olson, an author, musician, and retired teacher, living in Des Moines, Iowa; and Deb, Human Resources Director at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, living on the outskirts of Hull. In addition to farming, Eugene also did custom work: swathing and combining grain, chopping corn and hay, and spraying weeds. He sold corn and wheat seed and chemical treatments for twenty years with DB Green. He became well-known among area dairy farmers for the Holstein heifers he raised and sold. Eugene and Bernice farmed together for more than fifty years and moved to Hull in 2001. They have lived at the Pleasant Acres Care Center since May of 2012.
Eugene enjoyed sports. He played baseball, pool, cards, and bowled on a league for many years. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and tried trapping pheasants. He taught his children to ride horses, to catch and hit a baseball, to shoot, and other things. He often challenged them to foot races, which he always won, even when they were adults. He especially liked attending school activities.
Eugene was skilled at almost everything that could be done on a farm. He was very good at repairing machinery and taught himself how to weld. He was an expert horseman and had a gift for treating sick or injured livestock. He could pluck a chicken faster than anyone else and knew how to cook and can. When Bernice burned her hand in 2005, he eventually took over all of the cooking and cleaning duties. The kitchen staff at the care center can attest to his potato-peeling abilities.
Eugene was active in his community. Over the years he belonged to the Glueckstahl Reformed Church, Calvin Reformed Church, and Eureka Reformed Church, where he taught Sunday school classes and assumed several leadership roles, including Sunday school superintendent. He was currently a member of the First Reformed Church. He belonged to the Jaycees’ and participated in many of their events.
Eugene enjoyed people. He loved laughing, visiting, and sharing stories. He had a special place in his heart for children. Grandchildren always enjoyed hanging out with Grandpa, even if he called them monkeys in German. After he and Bernice moved to Hull, he was a foster grandparent at the Boyden Elementary School for four years. Many children came to know and appreciate “Grandpa,” and he loved telling the stories of their successes, especially those who had to struggle to learn. He developed a deep appreciation for the skill and hard work of the teachers he assisted.
Eugene always had good advice ready. He frequently told his children and anyone else who needed to know, “You should always think you’re smart, and you should always think you look good. If you have a good appetite, enjoy eating.” Some of it was more specific: “Never let the cow get by you.” “It’s just as easy to drive straight as to drive crooked.” At his granddaughter’s wedding, he offered this advice for how to have a long and happy marriage, “Love each other, be kind, and always work together.”
Survivors include his wife of more than 69 years, Bernice; children, David, and daughter, Lana (St. Petersburg, Florida), and son, Collin; Judy Olson, and son, Matthew; and Debra (Sid) Sandbulte, and daughters, Katie Sandbulte-Spear (Broken Arrow, Oklahoma) and Cortney (LeMars, Iowa); and sisters, Vivian Bundrock, Violet Delker, and Janette Martin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Harry Fischer, Irma Lokken, and Ramona Kautz.; and a son-in-law, Wayne Olson.
January 17, 1924 - May 11, 2015
Eugene Fischer, age 91, of Hull, Iowa, formerly of Eureka, South Dakota, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2015, at the Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull.
There will be a funeral service on Friday, May 15, at 10:30am, at the First Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Kevin Yurk will officiate. Interment will be in the Eureka Cemetery.
Eugene was born on January 17, 1924, on a farm homesteaded by his grandfather ten miles from Eureka, the second oldest of what were to be eight children. He was the son of Matt K. and Katie (Hagel) Fischer. He was educated at a country school west of the farm through the eighth grade. He came of age during the heart of the Dirty Thirties, so he learned to work hard, to overcome obstacles, and to be resourceful. He had a talent for working with livestock, especially horses.
After completing school, he stayed home to work on the family farm. He learned fast and had a reputation as a hard worker. When he was only eleven years old, he worked all day long, during harvest season, driving the header box. From that time on, he was often sought out by neighbors as hired help.
At age 22, he married Bernice Odel Meidinger. For two years, they farmed with Bernice’s parents and eventually took over the farm. He and Bernice had three children: David, who now lives on the family farm; Judy Olson, an author, musician, and retired teacher, living in Des Moines, Iowa; and Deb, Human Resources Director at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, living on the outskirts of Hull. In addition to farming, Eugene also did custom work: swathing and combining grain, chopping corn and hay, and spraying weeds. He sold corn and wheat seed and chemical treatments for twenty years with DB Green. He became well-known among area dairy farmers for the Holstein heifers he raised and sold. Eugene and Bernice farmed together for more than fifty years and moved to Hull in 2001. They have lived at the Pleasant Acres Care Center since May of 2012.
Eugene enjoyed sports. He played baseball, pool, cards, and bowled on a league for many years. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and tried trapping pheasants. He taught his children to ride horses, to catch and hit a baseball, to shoot, and other things. He often challenged them to foot races, which he always won, even when they were adults. He especially liked attending school activities.
Eugene was skilled at almost everything that could be done on a farm. He was very good at repairing machinery and taught himself how to weld. He was an expert horseman and had a gift for treating sick or injured livestock. He could pluck a chicken faster than anyone else and knew how to cook and can. When Bernice burned her hand in 2005, he eventually took over all of the cooking and cleaning duties. The kitchen staff at the care center can attest to his potato-peeling abilities.
Eugene was active in his community. Over the years he belonged to the Glueckstahl Reformed Church, Calvin Reformed Church, and Eureka Reformed Church, where he taught Sunday school classes and assumed several leadership roles, including Sunday school superintendent. He was currently a member of the First Reformed Church. He belonged to the Jaycees’ and participated in many of their events.
Eugene enjoyed people. He loved laughing, visiting, and sharing stories. He had a special place in his heart for children. Grandchildren always enjoyed hanging out with Grandpa, even if he called them monkeys in German. After he and Bernice moved to Hull, he was a foster grandparent at the Boyden Elementary School for four years. Many children came to know and appreciate “Grandpa,” and he loved telling the stories of their successes, especially those who had to struggle to learn. He developed a deep appreciation for the skill and hard work of the teachers he assisted.
Eugene always had good advice ready. He frequently told his children and anyone else who needed to know, “You should always think you’re smart, and you should always think you look good. If you have a good appetite, enjoy eating.” Some of it was more specific: “Never let the cow get by you.” “It’s just as easy to drive straight as to drive crooked.” At his granddaughter’s wedding, he offered this advice for how to have a long and happy marriage, “Love each other, be kind, and always work together.”
Survivors include his wife of more than 69 years, Bernice; children, David, and daughter, Lana (St. Petersburg, Florida), and son, Collin; Judy Olson, and son, Matthew; and Debra (Sid) Sandbulte, and daughters, Katie Sandbulte-Spear (Broken Arrow, Oklahoma) and Cortney (LeMars, Iowa); and sisters, Vivian Bundrock, Violet Delker, and Janette Martin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Harry Fischer, Irma Lokken, and Ramona Kautz.; and a son-in-law, Wayne Olson.
Eugene M. Fischer
January 17, 1924 - May 11, 2015
Eugene Fischer, age 91, of Hull, Iowa, formerly of Eureka, South Dakota, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2015, at the Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull.
There will be a funeral service on Friday, May 15, at 10:30am, at the First Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Kevin Yurk will officiate. Interment will be in the Eureka Cemetery.
Eugene was born on January 17, 1924, on a farm homesteaded by his grandfather ten miles from Eureka, the second oldest of what were to be eight children. He was the son of Matt K. and Katie (Hagel) Fischer. He was educated at a country school west of the farm through the eighth grade. He came of age during the heart of the Dirty Thirties, so he learned to work hard, to overcome obstacles, and to be resourceful. He had a talent for working with livestock, especially horses.
After completing school, he stayed home to work on the family farm. He learned fast and had a reputation as a hard worker. When he was only eleven years old, he worked all day long, during harvest season, driving the header box. From that time on, he was often sought out by neighbors as hired help.
At age 22, he married Bernice Odel Meidinger. For two years, they farmed with Bernice’s parents and eventually took over the farm. He and Bernice had three children: David, who now lives on the family farm; Judy Olson, an author, musician, and retired teacher, living in Des Moines, Iowa; and Deb, Human Resources Director at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, living on the outskirts of Hull. In addition to farming, Eugene also did custom work: swathing and combining grain, chopping corn and hay, and spraying weeds. He sold corn and wheat seed and chemical treatments for twenty years with DB Green. He became well-known among area dairy farmers for the Holstein heifers he raised and sold. Eugene and Bernice farmed together for more than fifty years and moved to Hull in 2001. They have lived at the Pleasant Acres Care Center since May of 2012.
Eugene enjoyed sports. He played baseball, pool, cards, and bowled on a league for many years. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and tried trapping pheasants. He taught his children to ride horses, to catch and hit a baseball, to shoot, and other things. He often challenged them to foot races, which he always won, even when they were adults. He especially liked attending school activities.
Eugene was skilled at almost everything that could be done on a farm. He was very good at repairing machinery and taught himself how to weld. He was an expert horseman and had a gift for treating sick or injured livestock. He could pluck a chicken faster than anyone else and knew how to cook and can. When Bernice burned her hand in 2005, he eventually took over all of the cooking and cleaning duties. The kitchen staff at the care center can attest to his potato-peeling abilities.
Eugene was active in his community. Over the years he belonged to the Glueckstahl Reformed Church, Calvin Reformed Church, and Eureka Reformed Church, where he taught Sunday school classes and assumed several leadership roles, including Sunday school superintendent. He was currently a member of the First Reformed Church. He belonged to the Jaycees’ and participated in many of their events.
Eugene enjoyed people. He loved laughing, visiting, and sharing stories. He had a special place in his heart for children. Grandchildren always enjoyed hanging out with Grandpa, even if he called them monkeys in German. After he and Bernice moved to Hull, he was a foster grandparent at the Boyden Elementary School for four years. Many children came to know and appreciate “Grandpa,” and he loved telling the stories of their successes, especially those who had to struggle to learn. He developed a deep appreciation for the skill and hard work of the teachers he assisted.
Eugene always had good advice ready. He frequently told his children and anyone else who needed to know, “You should always think you’re smart, and you should always think you look good. If you have a good appetite, enjoy eating.” Some of it was more specific: “Never let the cow get by you.” “It’s just as easy to drive straight as to drive crooked.” At his granddaughter’s wedding, he offered this advice for how to have a long and happy marriage, “Love each other, be kind, and always work together.”
Survivors include his wife of more than 69 years, Bernice; children, David, and daughter, Lana (St. Petersburg, Florida), and son, Collin; Judy Olson, and son, Matthew; and Debra (Sid) Sandbulte, and daughters, Katie Sandbulte-Spear (Broken Arrow, Oklahoma) and Cortney (LeMars, Iowa); and sisters, Vivian Bundrock, Violet Delker, and Janette Martin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Harry Fischer, Irma Lokken, and Ramona Kautz.; and a son-in-law, Wayne Olson.
January 17, 1924 - May 11, 2015
Eugene Fischer, age 91, of Hull, Iowa, formerly of Eureka, South Dakota, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2015, at the Pleasant Acres Care Center in Hull.
There will be a funeral service on Friday, May 15, at 10:30am, at the First Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Kevin Yurk will officiate. Interment will be in the Eureka Cemetery.
Eugene was born on January 17, 1924, on a farm homesteaded by his grandfather ten miles from Eureka, the second oldest of what were to be eight children. He was the son of Matt K. and Katie (Hagel) Fischer. He was educated at a country school west of the farm through the eighth grade. He came of age during the heart of the Dirty Thirties, so he learned to work hard, to overcome obstacles, and to be resourceful. He had a talent for working with livestock, especially horses.
After completing school, he stayed home to work on the family farm. He learned fast and had a reputation as a hard worker. When he was only eleven years old, he worked all day long, during harvest season, driving the header box. From that time on, he was often sought out by neighbors as hired help.
At age 22, he married Bernice Odel Meidinger. For two years, they farmed with Bernice’s parents and eventually took over the farm. He and Bernice had three children: David, who now lives on the family farm; Judy Olson, an author, musician, and retired teacher, living in Des Moines, Iowa; and Deb, Human Resources Director at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, living on the outskirts of Hull. In addition to farming, Eugene also did custom work: swathing and combining grain, chopping corn and hay, and spraying weeds. He sold corn and wheat seed and chemical treatments for twenty years with DB Green. He became well-known among area dairy farmers for the Holstein heifers he raised and sold. Eugene and Bernice farmed together for more than fifty years and moved to Hull in 2001. They have lived at the Pleasant Acres Care Center since May of 2012.
Eugene enjoyed sports. He played baseball, pool, cards, and bowled on a league for many years. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and tried trapping pheasants. He taught his children to ride horses, to catch and hit a baseball, to shoot, and other things. He often challenged them to foot races, which he always won, even when they were adults. He especially liked attending school activities.
Eugene was skilled at almost everything that could be done on a farm. He was very good at repairing machinery and taught himself how to weld. He was an expert horseman and had a gift for treating sick or injured livestock. He could pluck a chicken faster than anyone else and knew how to cook and can. When Bernice burned her hand in 2005, he eventually took over all of the cooking and cleaning duties. The kitchen staff at the care center can attest to his potato-peeling abilities.
Eugene was active in his community. Over the years he belonged to the Glueckstahl Reformed Church, Calvin Reformed Church, and Eureka Reformed Church, where he taught Sunday school classes and assumed several leadership roles, including Sunday school superintendent. He was currently a member of the First Reformed Church. He belonged to the Jaycees’ and participated in many of their events.
Eugene enjoyed people. He loved laughing, visiting, and sharing stories. He had a special place in his heart for children. Grandchildren always enjoyed hanging out with Grandpa, even if he called them monkeys in German. After he and Bernice moved to Hull, he was a foster grandparent at the Boyden Elementary School for four years. Many children came to know and appreciate “Grandpa,” and he loved telling the stories of their successes, especially those who had to struggle to learn. He developed a deep appreciation for the skill and hard work of the teachers he assisted.
Eugene always had good advice ready. He frequently told his children and anyone else who needed to know, “You should always think you’re smart, and you should always think you look good. If you have a good appetite, enjoy eating.” Some of it was more specific: “Never let the cow get by you.” “It’s just as easy to drive straight as to drive crooked.” At his granddaughter’s wedding, he offered this advice for how to have a long and happy marriage, “Love each other, be kind, and always work together.”
Survivors include his wife of more than 69 years, Bernice; children, David, and daughter, Lana (St. Petersburg, Florida), and son, Collin; Judy Olson, and son, Matthew; and Debra (Sid) Sandbulte, and daughters, Katie Sandbulte-Spear (Broken Arrow, Oklahoma) and Cortney (LeMars, Iowa); and sisters, Vivian Bundrock, Violet Delker, and Janette Martin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Harry Fischer, Irma Lokken, and Ramona Kautz.; and a son-in-law, Wayne Olson.
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