Raymond Fisher

Memorial Mass for Raymond ?Ray? Alex Fisher, 81, formerly of South Heart, ND, will be 11:00 a. m. , Friday, July 30, 2010, at St. Mary?s Catholic Church in South Heart. Interment will follow at the St. Mary?s Cemetery in South Heart with Military Rites by the Dickinson Veterans Drill Team. Ray suffered from Alzheimer?s disease in his later years and passed away on November 10, 2009, from Pneumonia. He was residing in New Jersey at the time of his death. Raymond Alex Fisher was born in South Heart, North Dakota on December 5, 1927 to Mildred and Alex Fisher. He joined his sister Arvilla at home, and they were later joined by siblings Don and Rita. He attended school in South Heart and graduated from South Heart High School. Ray was active in school sports as well as being an Altar Boy. He spent his spare time hunting and fishing with friends, as well as working for his father at the grain elevator. Ray attended business college in Bismarck, ND before being called to serve in the Army at the end of WWII. Ray joined the 1st Cavalry Division in July 1945 and served in occupied Japan. After his military service, he attended Dickinson State College and received his teaching degree. When he enrolled at DSC, one of the first people he met was a young redhead from Belfield named Clara Ellen Severance who worked at the admissions desk. Ray courted her and finally convinced her that he was worthy of her hand in marriage. He started his teaching career in Hettinger, ND and taught in several small towns such as Minto and Underwood ND before settling in Kalispell, MT where he taught high school until his retirement. During this time, he earned a Masters Degree in Education at University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO. His teaching and humor left a lasting impression on his students. He taught business classes and headed the business department at Flathead High School for many years and was well respected by his colleagues. He also was a familiar face taking tickets at many high school sporting events. Ray was active in bowling, golf, hunting and fishing, and shared his passion for these with family and friends. He is survived by his children: daughter Kimberly in Florida; sons Adrian in New Jersey; Mike in Washington; and Eric in California. He is also survived by a brother, Don of South Heart and a sister, Rita of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, numerous nieces and nephews and three grandchildren, Lynette, Alex, and Noah. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister Arvilla, his wife of 52 years Clara, and his youngest son Brad. Ray leaves behind loving family and many lifelong friends and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.


Burial Date: July 30, 2010
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Memorial Mass: Friday, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, South Heart, ND