Stella Fisher, 99


A native of Washington County and long-term West Bend resident, Stella Fisher, nee Goetz, passed away peacefully Nov. 12, 2010, after a long illness. She was 99 years old.

Born near Holy Hill, the third of seven children, Stella and her siblings helped her parents run a bar, restaurant, and dance hall in Mayfield. The family stayed close and her childhood yielded many moving and colorful stories of surviving prohibition, the Depression and World War II. This gave Stella strength, versatility and a resilience that was evident to the end.

Her brother, Henry, and her sister, Beatrice, also passed away in 2010.
After relocating to West Bend, she worked in the Hausmann family dental office as a hygienist and was was elected to represent the Wisconsin Hygienist Association at a national convention in Atlantic City, N.J.

She married Marion “Bud” Fisher, in 1938, and, through his influence, learned to style hair. After World War II, the couple owned and operated a salon in Milwaukee.

Her love and appreciation for music permeated her life. She played the piano and organ, often substituting at Holy Angels Catholic Church and rousing her extended family to song at parties and holidays. After purchasing an organ for the house, she supported and encouraged her son, Michael, in his professional musical career. She attended concerts and recitals whenever she could.

Stella and Bud retired to Sun City, Ariz., in 1977, where Stella was active in her church, the Knitters Society and aerobic classes. She grew close to her neighbors and was recognized by many during her walks with her dog, Camy.
Her husband preceded her in death in 1994.

She is survived by her two children, Paul and Michael, her daughter-in-law, Marianne, her granddaughter, Lauren, and nieces and nephews who remember her kindness and recall her as their favorite aunt.

She will be missed, but her legacy of family and music endures.