Obituary: Irma Fischer

Irma Fischer of Brillion, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 23, 2025 at Abridge Care Center in Chilton, just 13 days after reaching a remarkable milestone – turning 100 years old.

Irma was born on May 10, 1925 at the home farm in the town of Rantoul, daughter of the late William and Emma (Luedtke) Paul. She attended Hawthorne Grade School, which was just a short walk from her home thru 8th grade and then graduated from Brillion High School class of 1943. For years, she stayed in contact with her classmates and attended reunions with her husband Reuben. On Sept. 1, 1945, she married Reuben Fischer at Evangelical and Reformed Church in Potter. He preceded her in death on December 15, 2007.  Together, Irma & Reuben owned and operated a dairy farm and raised their six children.  Irma was incredibly active; she kept busy gardening, baking, cooking, canning, patching clothes, bowling, snowmobiling, and sturgeon spearing. Her family especially loved her poppyseed torte and rice pudding – treats even great grandchildren requested which she made well into her 90s. She and Reuben loved to travel together. They went to Las Vegas, Alaska, Germany and the Caribbean. They also played sheepshead, enjoyed polka dancing, making homemade sausage, and spent time with their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Irma continued to love short trips to the casino with children and grandchildren even though every time she was asked she’d acquiesce, “Well, I suppose you want me to come with you.” Often a winner, Irma’s luck was incredible. Above all, Irma loved visits from family and friends and would greet them with a “Hello, Stranger!” and tell them they “must’ve gotten lonesome for her.” She reminded them when they left “to come oftener.” Irma was the matriarch of a large family and most impressive was her ability to remember all of the names, places, and connections that would have been otherwise forgotten.

Survivors include five children; four daughters: Judy Mattes of Hilbert; Barb (special friend, Roger Knost) Cavert of Palm Harbor, FL; Rhonda (David) Klessig of Potter; and Julie (Gary) Fischer of Darboy and one son: Michael (Becky) Fischer of Brillion; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter: Donna Fischer; one great-grandson: Derek Schmitt; one great-granddaughter: Caroline Braun; two sons-in-law: Jack Mattes and Robert Cavert; one brother and sister-in-law: Irving (Lorella) Paul, Sr.; father-in-law and mother-in-law; Robert and Ida Fischer; other in-laws: Helmuth Fischer; Ruth (Julius) Behnke; Reinhold (Elda) Fischer; Leonard (Mahala) (June) Fischer; Robert Jr. (Helen) Fischer; Erwin (Myra) Fischer; Lyla (Adolph) Wunsch; Adoline (Edmer) Behnke; Verona (Ernest Krueger) (Arthur Helgeson); Arnold (Margaret) Fischer; David (Madeline) Fischer; Lydia Fischer; Jeanette Fischer; Arline Fischer; Elroy (Gertrude) Fischer, Henry (Mabel) Fischer; and Baby Fischer.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Pielhop Funeral Home in Brillion.  Officiating will be Rev. Josh Simon.  Burial will follow at Brillion Community Cemetery.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday morning at the funeral home from 9:00 am. until the time of the service.

The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice and the staff at Abridge Care Center for their care of mom the last year and a half. 

Online condolences may be made www.pielhop.com

The Pielhop Funeral Homes of Brillion & Reedsville are assisting the family with funeral arrangements.