Vernon D. Fischer, 89, passed away on Monday, Sept. 6, 2021 at Fountain Springs Health Care in Rapid City. He passed away on Labor Day, the same holiday on which his mother passed away 30 years ago. Vern is now in the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Vernon Dallas Fischer was born May 22, 1932 near Colome, SD to Pete and Hulda (Redlinger) Fischer. His early years were spent with his parents and three sisters, Violet, Betty and Joan, working on his parents’ cattle ranch south of Colome. He rode his horse, Ranger, to a small rural schoolhouse for eight years. He attended high school in Colome and it was there he met Irene Spinar. They were married in 1952, shortly before he left for the military in the Army during the Korean War.
Upon returning home in 1954, Vern and Irene farmed near Colome and after a few years saw the arrival of their first daughter, Lynn and a couple of years later, Teresa. After farming for about five years, the family moved to Rapid City in 1961, where Vern ventured into the car dealership industry. A few years later, his third daughter, Diane, was born.
Vernon loved everything about the car business and after selling used cars and owning a used-car lot, he purchased the Pontiac-GMC dealership and retained ownership until the late 70s. After remodeling his basement, Vern took up woodworking as a hobby and developed it into a furniture manufacturing business, establishing Country Estates Furniture in 1981. He retired from the furniture business in 1989.
His love of antiques and auctions prompted him to open an antique and second-hand store and after 31 years of serving in the business community of Rapid City, he bought an RV and the two of them started traveling. They spent their winters in Arizona until Irene passed away in 2018. Vern moved back to Rapid City, where he lived at Edgewood Assisted Living.
Vern was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and Gideons International. He was also a member of the V.F.W., American Legion, and the Elks. He enjoyed RVing, golfing, shooting pool, playing cards, and visiting with anyone he met. His hearty laugh and big heart will be missed.
Vern is survived by his daughters, Lynn (Richard) Murphy of Bulverde, TX, Teresa Horsley of Whitewood, and Diane (Scott) Sharp of Rapid City; nine grandchildren, Alicia Murphy of Livingston, MT, Aaron Murphy of Bozeman, MT, Hudson Horsley of Dallas, TX, Dallas (Alise) Horsley of Medford, OR, Nelson Horsley of Rapid City, Savannah Sharp of Rapid City, Christian Paulson of Kansas City, KS, Christopher Sharp of Rapid City, and Amanda (Blake) Booton-Popken of Panama City, FL; three great-grandchildren; three brothers-in-law, Frank (Joanie) Taggart of Mesa, AZ, Leo and Melvin Spinar, both of Sioux Falls; and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Irene; his parents, Pete and Hulda; his in-laws, Jerry and Emma (Urban) Spinar; his three sisters, Violet, Betty, and Joan; his son-in-law, Gary Horsley; and his infant grandson, Charles Murphy.
Memorial services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 10, 2021 at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Visitation was held one hour prior to services. An inurnment of his ashes was at 2 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at Black Hills National Cemetery, near Sturgis.
A memorial has been established with Gideons, International. An online guestbook may be signed at www.kirkfuneralhome.com
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