Andrew "Andy" Fischer

Andrew “Andy” Fischer was born on August 15th, 1940, in North Central North Dakota. He passed away on January 2nd, 2025, in West Fargo, ND, after a long illness. He was the eldest of 6 children born to Andrew (Sr.) and Scholastica Fischer. He began his education at a country schoolhouse. After the sudden passing of their mother, the children were moved to Fargo, ND. Andy attended Shanley Catholic High School in Fargo, graduating in 1959.

During summers, he enjoyed working on a farm. As a young adult, he worked as a dental technician, which he liked very much. In the fall of 1961, he enlisted in the Navy, and was sent to basic training in San Diego, CA. Andy was proud of his time in the service. The Navy sent him to Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1968. During his service, he worked in a Navy dental lab, went through submarine training, and reached the rank of Lieutenant Jr.  grade. He was stationed in Vietnam as a clerk from 1970-1971. He was awarded the National Defense Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (Bronze Star), and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He received an honorable discharge from active duty in Portland, OR in 1973.

In Portland, he met Shirley Johnson, whom he wed in 1974. The couple had 2 daughters and 2 sons. The family first lived on Puget Sound, WA, where Andy worked at the shipyard. Next, they moved to Glenrock, WY. During this time, Andy worked for the Bureau of Reclamation in Casper, WY. The family moved to Bemidji, MN when Andy was transferred to the Red Lake Reservation. In 1989, Andy started work at the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Aberdeen, SD, where he was a boiler inspector. After he retired from civil service in early 1995, Andy worked for Aberdeen Ride Line, and also as a long-haul truck driver. In 2011, he purchased his home in North Fargo.

Andy’s Catholic faith was very important to him. He prayed frequently, and getting to mass on Sundays was a priority. He was a member of Saint Mary’s in Aberdeen SD, and Holy Spirit in Fargo. He was always concerned about the souls of his loved ones, and encouraged them to keep the faith. He took a couple of group pilgrimages to Lourdes, France and Fatima, Portugal.

Andy was a good bowler, and an occasional hunter. Playing cards was a favorite pastime. He loved to dance, particularly polka. He took lots of photographs. Andy loved to travel. He went all over the contiguous U.S., as well as to Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, and Germany. He took bus tours, and also road trips. He had a spirit of adventure, and would spontaneously take “Sunday drives” to see the countryside.

Family was important to him. Andy always did his best to stay in touch with his siblings and other kin. Even when he’d moved back to Fargo, he would drive to Aberdeen, SD weekly to spend time with his youngest son. He would often visit his other children, and friends as well. He spent a lot of time traveling to visit loved ones.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother Joseph Fischer; sisters Magdalena (Sonny) Few and Irene (Tony) Weigel; other family and friends; and his beloved son, Dennis Fischer.

Andy is survived by his children Monica (Mike) Noble of Sioux Falls, SD, Christina Fischer of Redfield SD, and Mark Fischer of Aberdeen, SD; grandsons Ethan Noble and Austin Noble, both of Sioux Falls; sisters Angeline (Ray) Anderson of Grand Forks, ND and Frances (Rich) Bannerman of Moorhead MN; former spouse Shirley Johnson of Mellette, SD; and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Andy’s name to the Knights of Columbus or to Shanley High School (St. John Paul II Catholic Schools) fund.

Visitation: Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 5-7 PM, at West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND, with a vigil at 7 PM.

Funeral Mass:  Friday, January 17, 2025, at 2 PM, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fargo, ND, with visitation one hour before the service.

Burial: Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 11 AM, at Fargo National Cemetery, Harwood, ND.

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