Irene L. Fischer, 82, of Rapid City, South Dakota and Mesa, Arizona, passed from this life on Sunday, January 28, 2018, at Mesa. Her courageous battle with breast cancer has finally ended and she is now in the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ.
Irene Louise Spinar was born October 31, 1935 in Colome, SD to Jerry and Emma (Urban) Spinar. She grew up on the family farm near Colome and attended Colome Public School, graduating in 1952.
On May 25, 1952, Irene married her high school sweetheart, Vern Fischer, in Colome. Together, they eventually moved to Rapid City in 1961 where Irene raised their three daughters while Vern established himself in the car sales business. As a stay-at-home mother, Irene created many fond memories for her daughters – camping at the lake, summer vacations, visits to the cabin in the Hills, baking and doing crafts and ceramics together, sewing, a big play house in the back yard, garage sales, Barbie dolls, creating special Christmas traditions, VBS, Sunday school, TV family time, watching baseball, going to drive-in movies, trips to the grandparents, Sunday drives and meals with turkey salad from Daisy Dell, putting on plays in the back yard, playing cards, and making birthdays so special. Her daughters felt so blessed to have a mother that was so involved in their lives. She truly was the best Mom in the whole wide world.
When their daughters were married and left home, Irene worked for a retail furniture and gift store and Vern sold his automobile dealership and started making furniture. In 1984, Irene opened her own store, Country Estates Heritage House in the Rushmore Mall and later moved it to the Haines Station Shopping Center. She had this gift store for almost 13 years and it was a favorite shopping venue for many in the community.
In 1992, Irene and Vern bought an RV and became snow birds and made their way to Apache Junction, AZ in the wintertime. They kept leaving for the south earlier and coming back home later until they settled there more permanently by buying a place in Apache Junction. In 2017, they moved to Mesa.
Besides being a loving mother, Irene was an extraordinary wife to her husband Vern and a true joy to her many friends. Over the years, she and her husband had cultivated and nurtured deep relationships with many friends, neighbors, and extended family through neighborhood parties and cookouts with friends, taking extended trips with friends, camping with friends, playing cards with friends, and going out to dinner with friends. Irene was active in many different things over the years including bridge clubs, bowling leagues, and golfing.
Irene had a great love of learning and reading and with her deep faith she was a sound source of wisdom, advice, and counsel for any who sought it from her. She was full of peace and contentment all her life, making the best of any situation. Her lovely smile always lit up the room. She was active in church, teaching Sunday school, attending and leading Bible studies, and serving through various church groups. Irene was a long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rapid City and while in Arizona, attended the Family of Faith Church in Apache Junction.
Irene is survived by her husband, Vern Fischer; her three daughters and their husbands, Lynn (Mrs. Richard) Murphy of Bulverde, TX, Teresa (Mrs. Gary) Horsley of Whitewood, and Diane (Mrs. Scott) Sharp of Rapid City; nine grandchildren, Alicia Murphy of Livingston, MT, Aaron Murphy of Bozeman, MT, Hudson Horsley of Spearfish, Dallas (and Alise) Horsley of Medford, OR, Nelson Horsley of Rapid City, Savannah (and Brandon) Mutschelknaus of Rapid City, Christian Paulson of Rapid City, Christopher Sharp of Rapid City, Amanda (and Blake) Booton-Popken of Rapid City; two great-grandchildren; two brothers Leo Spinar and Melvin Spinar, both of Sioux Falls; brother-in-law, Frank (and Joanie) Taggart of Mesa, AZ; and numerous nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her father Jerry in 1988 and mother Emma in 1994; her father-in-law Pete Fischer in 1992 and mother-in-law Hulda (Redlinger) Fischer in 1991; her sister Anita (Spinar) Calhoon in 1997; and her infant grandson Charles Murphy in 1979.
A memorial service at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rapid City, SD will be announced later in the spring. Inurnment of her ashes will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, South Dakota.
A memorial has been established with Gideons, International. Friends may sign her guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com
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