Thelma E. Fisher, 97, Zumbrota

Thelma E. Fisher, 97, passed away Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016 at the Zumbrota Care Center in Zumbrota Minn., where she had been a resident for two years.  
Thelma was born May 2, 1919 in Ohio. Her family moved to California when she was 14 years old. She met and married Lyle Fisher in Irvington, California on Oct. 20, 1939. After their three children were born, the family moved to the San Fernando Valley.
For more than 35 years Thelma worked in an insurance agency, retiring at age 71 and becoming a hospice volunteer assisting with insurance claims and grief counseling, prior to moving to Minnesota. She was active in church, the choirs, Bible studies and other activities. She was a wonderful seamstress, making wedding gowns for her daughter, three granddaughters and several others.  She painted, created fine hand work sewing, and beaded Christmas balls, which she gifted to many over the past several years. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were her joy. She leaves a legacy of being a very good listener and encouragement to all she met and a very positive testimony to her very strong faith.
She is survived by one daughter Donna Lushinsky (Gene) of Mantorville, Minn., Jim Fisher (Flo) of Thornton, Calif., and Bill Fisher (Linda) of Acompo, Calif., eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle, on June 22, 1978.
A Celebration of Life will be held, MondayDec. 26, 2016, at 11:00 am at St John’s Lutheran church in Kasson, Minn., and a second celebration in January, at the First Baptist Church in Stockton Calif. Burial will be in Oak Hill Memorial Garden in San Jose, Calif.
Memorials are suggested to the Zumbrota Care Center, 433 Mill St, Zumbrota, MN 55992.