Theodore “Ted” Fischer

Published October 06, 2021 at 2:14 PM

Funeral services for Theodore Edward (Ted) Fischer in Wadena, MN will be held on Thursday, October 7th at Karvonen’s Funeral Home. Ted passed away at his home surrounded by his family, on Saturday, October 2nd at the age of 93.

Ted was born in Gutches Grove (near Long Prairie, MN) on September 11, 1928, to Oscar and Violet (Christensen) Fischer and grew up at the family farm in Leaf River Township, next to his future wife’s family farm. He attended school at District #22 in Leaf River Township and started his trucking business in 1946 at the age of 16. He married Arlene Jane Windels on January 21, 1951. Ted joined the Army in 1951 as a signalman and was in the Korean War, stationed in Sendai, Japan until September 1953.

He continued to run his own trucking business, along with his brother- in-law Bill Leasman, until 1963 when he sold the business and went to work for Northern Coop (Cenex) for 24 years. In retirement he worked for RJ Hunt Seed Company and Mid-State Auto Auction.

He was a lifetime member of the VFW (Elmer Goche Post), was a board member and served in the Honor Guard for 53 years. He was a life member of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and a member of various Sportsman Clubs. He was a lifetime member of the Methodist Church in Wadena, MN.

Ted enjoyed hunting (bagged his last deer in 2020 at the age of 92), cooking and entertaining his family, fishing, gardening, and after retirement, he and Arlene added traveling, bingo and going to the casinos to their list of hobbies. The Depression helped develop Ted’s “do-it-yourself” skills that served him well over the decades. The time Ted and Arlene spent at their cabin on Rush Lake (originally built by Ted in 1957) with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was extremely valuable to them.

Ted Fischer was a hard-working, good man, a loving husband, father and grandfather. Family was everything to Ted.

Ted is survived by his children, Gary (Paula) Fischer, Ottertail, MN, Patti (Curt) Wells, Perham, MN, Salli Crawford, Wadena, MN and Scott (Shelley) Fischer, St. Cloud, his grandchildren, Tricia (Mitch) Barthel, New York Mills, MN, Kalen (Jamie) Fischer, Ottertail, MN, Jason (Vicky) Wells, Fargo, ND, Jared (Beth) Wells, Fargo, MN, Cody (Kirsten) Crawford, Fargo, MN, Kelsi (Alex) Brockpahler, Sebeka, MN, Mitchell (Tasha) Fischer, Royalton, MN, Jim (Fiancé Sydney), Big Lake, MN, 11 great grandchildren, and his sister, Delores Rentz. He was preceded in death by his wife, Arlene, his parents, Oscar and Violet Fischer, and sister Arlene Leasman.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Jason Wells, Tricia Barthel, Kalen Fischer, Jared Wells, Cody Crawford, Mitchell Fischer, Kelsi Brockpahler, Jim Fischer. Honorary pallbearers are his great grandchildren, Carson, Easton, Quinn Wells, Brooklyn and Brighton Barthel, Ashlynn and Jack Fischer, Rhett and Hadley Fischer, Addi Crawford and June Brockpahler.

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on Ted’s Tribute Wall.

Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Wadena, Minnesota.