Pastor Wil Fisher, 92, of Moorhead passed away on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND.
Wilbur Owen Fisher was born on Jan. 19, 1932, in Forest City, IA to Donald and Opal (Rusley) Fisher. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1951, served in the US Navy from 1952-56, graduated from Luther College in 1959 and Luther Seminary with Ordination in 1964.
On Aug. 16, 1959, he married Jean E. Torkelson, daughter of Carl and Nilda (Nelson) Torkelson, from Melrose, WI. Wil and Jean were married for 48 years before Jean passed away in 2007. Three daughters were born to Jean and Wil: Kari, Kirsten, and Stephanie. Six grandchildren were blessed into the family. In 2011 Wil married Mavis Lysaker. Mavis brought four children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren which extended the family.
Pastor Wil was called to share the good news of Jesus Christ, pastoring congregations at Warwick, Tolna and Hamar, ND from 1964-1971; Larimore, ND for 23 years, Gol and Walcott, ND, and Trinity Lutheran in Moorhead, MN. During his time living in Warwick, he was the mayor, fire chief, helped out with cattle drives and welcomed two more daughters into his family. He learned to fly in Larimore in 1971 and gave hundreds of rides to children and adults, earning honors for involvement in over 800 missions through the EAA Young Eagles program. At 84, Wil decided to volunteer with the American Legion Honor Guard. He also enjoyed traveling, going to family events and driving his 1929 Model A Ford Sport Coup around town. He was a genuine blessing to all he met and always encouraged people with a smile to “Have a Blessed Day!”
Pastor Wil is survived by his wife, Mavis Lysaker; children Kari (Ove) Sundberg, Kirsten Fisher, and Stephanie (Jay Anderson) Heiberg; grandchildren, Marit (Sean) Woulfe, Erik (Eva) Sundberg, Anders Sundberg, and Karl, Victoria and Christian Heiberg; great grandsons Henryk and Carver Woulfe; nieces, nephews and cousins; Mavis’s four adult children and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and his first wife, Jean.
A visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 20, from 5-7 p.m. at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN
Final resting place will be in North Beaver Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Ettrick, WI, with a graveside service at 3 p.m. Dec. 22.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Red Willow Bible Camp, Binford, ND, or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
A livestream of the service, online guestbook, and video tribute can be found on Wil’s obituary page at www.wrightfuneral.com.
