James C. 'Jim' Fischer

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On June 30, 2022 James "Jim" Cornelius Fischer passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 20 at 11:00am at Annunciation Catholic Church in Mayhew Lake, followed by lunch. Burial will be in the Annunciation parish cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00pm on Tuesday, July 19 at Williams Dingmann Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids, as well as one hour prior to Mass at the church on Wednesday. James "Jim" Cornelius Fischer was born September 12, 1931 in Milwaukee, WI to Cyril Louis Fischer and Mary "Mae" Julie (Heim) Fischer, the fourth of seven children. He grew up in St. Cloud, Minnesota and attended St. Mary's Grade School and Cathedral High School, graduating in 1949. He attended St. John's University in Collegeville for two years, which is how he met the love of his life, Irene Mary Ernst, sister of his university friend Louis. Jim began working for the Soo Line Railroad in 1952, served in the U.S. Army in Korea for two years and returned to the Soo Line, working in the Transportation Department at the Soo Line Building in downtown Minneapolis for nearly 40 years. Jim and Irene were married at St. Joseph Church, the little church on the hill, in Plymouth, Minnesota on November 26, 1955, and began growing their family of 8 children at homes in Mounds View, then North Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center, where they were members of St. Alphonsus Parish for over 25 years. His family, the Catholic Church and community filled Jim's life, as he served through the Knights of Columbus; sponsoring immigrant families; helping with countless school, family and church functions, ever ready to lend a helping hand. For relaxation Jim enjoyed tennis (even playing with his grandchildren into his 80s); card games, especially SKAT and Cribbage (which he took very seriously); family gatherings; annual deer hunting trips with Irene's brothers; grouse hunting trips with his sons, sons-in-law and grandsons; and fishing with his children and brothers-in-law. Jim and Irene moved to Little Rock Lake after retirement and joined Annunciation Parish in Mayhew Lake where Jim's father and grandfather grew up and his great grandparents are buried in the first row of the parish cemetery. Jim began his years of volunteering at the St. Cloud Hospital, following in the footsteps of his Mother. Jim and Irene later moved to Sauk Rapids and Sacred Heart Parish and then to Country Manor apartments. Jim lived his last 2 years with daughter Rosanne and her husband, Mark Trainor, in Duelm. Jim's love lives on in the lives of his children, Jean (Barry) Nelson, Michael (Kim) Fischer, Rebecca Sienko, Rosanne (Mark Trainor) Fischer, Joseph Fischer, Mary (Greg) Meier, Mark (Tammy) Fischer, daughter-in-law Kara Fischer; Grandchildren Emily, Betsy & Jonathan; Katie & Paul; Ryan, Laura, Meghan, & Amy; Amelia; Abram, Laura & Francis; Daniel, Heidi & Caleb; Ben & Katherine; their spouses and children (17 great grandchildren and one on the way!), as well as his siblings, Sr. Rita Mae Fischer FSPA, Margie (Bernie) Kersting, Eugene (Joanne) Fischer, Mary (Joe) Terwey, Mark (Fidelina) Fischer; siblings-in-law Chuck (Pat) Ernst, Dennis (Shirley) Ernst, Jerry (Sherelyn) Ernst, Cathy (Dave) Huberty; and many nieces and nephews. Jim's spirit reunites in the Realm of Love, Light and Mercy with his parents; beloved wife, Irene; son, John; son-in-law, Mike Sienko; sibling Donald & Joan Fischer; siblings-in-law Louis & Doris Ernst and George & Rosie Ernst. Jim's family extends sincere thanks to the staff and volunteers of Quiet Oaks Hospice House who provided a restful, caring place for Jim and for them in his final days; Memorials will support their caring ministry and the Catherine Ernst Memorial Trust Fund. Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home (320) 251-1454 williamsdingmann.com

Published on July 10, 2022