Ethel D. (Johnson) Wischer

On Tuesday, November 19, Ethel Wischer, devoted wife and loving mother, passed away at the age of 87. Ethel was born on July 16, 1932 in Nome, ND to a Danish immigrant farmer, Gothard Johnson and his wife Laura Boje Johnson, as the youngest of 8 children. Her early schooling was in Lucca, ND but after her aging parents moved off the farm, she completed school at Enderlin High School. She attended Interstate Business College where, on a blind date, she met the love of her life, Donovan Henry Wischer. They were married on September 30, 1951 and moved near the Wischer family farm in Argusville, ND to start their life together.

Their three children arrived within the first 5 years of their marriage. In 1959, the Wischer family moved to Arthur, ND where she worked as a nurses aide at the Good Samaritan Center, volunteered with the Arthur United Methodist Church ladies group, helped to organize a new troop of Campfire Girls and volunteered with many other clubs and organizations. She won the 1962 Mrs. North Dakota pageant and traveled to Miami to represent the state. To this day, she would meet with her favorite Arthur ladies to celebrate their birthdays. After returning to the Argusville farm in 1972 and their subsequent retirement in 1996, they shared 26 winters in Alamo, TX with their wonderful Texas friends. Their final move was to Fargo, enjoying their new friends at both Prairie View Estates and Bethany Retirement Living.

Ethel was active in every community she lived. There wasn’t an committee she wouldn’t chair or a volunteer she couldn’t wrangle for one of her many causes. While in McAllen, TX, she mentored children in English and volunteered at the hospital. But her main efforts went to the Red River Valley Hospice, early on, as a trained worker and later, as a volunteer at the RRVH Heirlooms Store for 16 years. She always enjoyed exercising but loved more, the people she exercised with. In the apartment, there was always a stack of baby hats that she had crocheted for babies in need and also sewed cloth diapers for needed children with her Bethany friends. Her creative hobbies started and ended with sparkle. From the beautiful clothing that she bedazzled for Kathy’s Creations, to the wall crosses that she created with the jewelry of the people she cared about, she enjoyed using her artistic talents. Her passion for glitter spilled over into her wardrobe with a touch of sparkle on her clothes and matching jewelry for every outfit.

She is survived by her husband, Don; daughter, Sandra Trydahl Teodori (husband, Richard; sons, John Trydahl, Stephen Teodori and Christopher Teodori); daughter, Suzanne Landon (husband, Mark; son, Eric Landon) and son, Brian Wischer (wife, Jane; children William Wischer, Brynne Wischer, Liza Edmiston, David Wischer and Gregory Wischer). Ethel was known as ‘Grandma E’ by her grandchildren and was a proud “Nana” to 3 great grandchildren; Maylin Trydahl, Jacob Trydahl and Kensington Wischer. She is also survived by Dorothy Johnson (wife of brother, George), Doris Johnson (wife of brother, Fred), Robert Johnson (brother), Victor and LaVerne (brother and wife).

The Wischer family wants to thank everyone who has been so kind, thoughtful and helpful during these final difficult months. Out of concern for her husband’s current health condition, there are no immediate plans for a funeral. Memorial service plans are pending. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Hospice of the Red River Valley. (HRRV.ORG to donate online or call 1-800-237-4629.) Ethel always told Don, “Don’t be sad for me, I know where I’m going!”

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