Ruth Fisher

Ruth Evelyn Fisher (nee Van Donselaar), 93, of Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin, passed from this world into her eternal home in heaven on February 17, 2017. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 44 years, Forrest William Fisher; her sister Blanche Lucille Deal; and her parents Earl and Joanna Van Donselaar. Cementing early in life a reputation for having a slight flare for the dramatic, Ruth was born on March 13, 1923, in the middle of a blizzard at home on the family farm in Marion County, near Pella Iowa. She grew up in a different era: her early childhood home lacked electricity, the Sunday church services were conducted in Dutch, and her 8th grade graduating class consisted of just two people. At age 13, Ruth's parents arranged for her to board with a family in Pella so she could attend city schools there. She graduated from Pella High school in 1940. Ruth attained local acclaim in high school with her secretarial skills: she won the State Typing Championship by typing with perfect accuracy for 10 minutes. Armed with only a high school diploma during wartime, Ruth moved to Des Moines and worked for Maytag, Firestone and IBM. Ruth then changed direction and built a successful 58 year career in public service and the law. Beginning in 1949, Ruth worked her way up the ranks in the Iowa Senate in Des Moines eventually serving in the capacity of Assistant Secretary of the Senate. In 1973 she was recruited by Des Moines Attorney Donald Zarley to work as a paralegal in his patent law firm. Nearly 30 years later, at age 80, Ruth was one of four employees to join Mr. Zarley as he launched a new firm, the Zarley Law Firm, which operates in Des Moines, Iowa to this day. Ruth retired to much fanfare in 2007 at age 84 and moved from Iowa to Kohler to be near her family. Ruth was passionate about her work and was accomplished in it, but her true love in life was her family. Her sister Blanche introduced Ruth to Forrest and they were married at her parent's home in 1948. Their daughter, Debra Lynn was born in 1955. Deb, her husband Norm and Ruth's three grandchildren have many cherished memories of Ruth's frequent visits and their trips to Grandma's house. Among her family and friends, Ruth was known for her faith in God (member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Kohler), her enjoyment of card games (cribbage and bridge), her often-alleged but rarely-proven "cheating" at said card games, her lead-footed approach to driving (that flare for the dramatic again), her standing Thursday hair appointment, her enjoyment of unsweetened ice tea, and a love for dessert and sweets so immense that it rivaled the love of her family. Survivors include her daughter Debra (Norman) Giertz of Sheboygan Falls, her grandson Jeffrey (Kelly Murphy) Giertz of Washington DC, her granddaughter Emma Giertz of Barcelona, Spain, her granddaughter Lilian Giertz of Sheboygan, her niece Nancy (Howard) Roorda of Bellevue, Nebraska, her nephew Steven Deal of Omaha, Nebraska and their families. A funeral service to celebrate Ruth's life will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 11am at Bethany Lutheran Church in Kohler with Rev. Mark Janzen officiating. Burial will take place on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at 1pm at Oakwood Cemetery in Pella, IA. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Monday, February 20, 2017 at the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg 4-7pm and again on Tuesday at the CHURCH from 10am until the time of service at 11am. A memorial fund is being established for the Stephanie H. Weill Center for the Preforming Arts in Ruth's name. The family would like to thank her many caregivers at Pine Haven Christian Home in Oostburg and Sheboygan Falls. Your dedication and caring for those in your charge is truly a selfless and compassionate calling that is appreciated more that you know. The family would also like extend a special thanks to Ruth's good friends Carol & Kaye who's unwavering love and loyalty demonstrated daily the true meaning of friendship. Those of us who knew Ruth will dearly miss her spunk, her smile, her wisdom, her warmth, her incredible sense of humor and her ever-present love. While Ruth may be departed this earthly life she leaves behind an undying legacy in all of us who knew her - as Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, confidant, colleague, neighbor, or friend. Her bright light will shine within us forever, and we look forward to the day we meet once again in our heavenly home. The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home of Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431) is assisting Ruth's family with arrangements.

Visitation

Monday, February 20, 2017 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wenig Funeral Home - Oostburg
108 Center Ave. Oostburg 53070, United States

Visitation

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Bethany Lutheran Church
222 Church Street Kohler 53044, United States

Service

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 11:00 AM
Bethany Lutheran Church
222 Church Street Kohler 53044, United States