Leona E. Fisher

Leona E. Fisher, age 92; of Hastings, formerly of Sauk Centre, beloved mother who passed away peacefully on February 25, 2009 with her children by her side. She was born August 8, 1916 in Crookston, MN to Henry and Wilhelmina �Minnie� (Stoecker) Emmeck, was raised in the Sauk Centre area and was a 1935 graduate of Sauk Centre High School. Leona married Frank L. Fisher of Glenwood, MN on March 14, 1938 in Sisseton, SD. During the ensuing years, they lived in Sauk Centre, Long Prairie, Benson, St. Cloud, Duluth, Glenwood, Bemidji, and other small towns in northern MN. They also lived in Mason City, IA and Florida for a time. In the first 20 years of marriage, while working side by side at bakeries they owned or managed in their many towns of residence, they were blessed with nine children. In 1971, they settled in Hastings, retiring later to Outing, MN. Frank died in 1989 and Leona moved back to Hastings where she remained close to her children until her death. She was an avid reader, amateur politician and competitive Euchre player. She was also a big sports fan of the Minnesota Twins and her favorite golfer, Tiger Woods. Leona was respected and loved immensely by her family and will be greatly missed. Leona was also preceded in death by her son Steven; grandson Steven Tobie; great-grandchildren Charlie Gustafson and Natalie Mertes; both parents; and 7 siblings. She is survived by her children Mary Brinks of Illinois, Bette (Rick) Skilbred of Iowa, Roberta Tobie, Phyllis Dries, Larry (Jennifer Schmidt) Fisher, Vernon (Suzanne Klaers) Fisher, Vicky Franklin, Pam (Lee) Kochendorfer, all of Hastings; siblings Doris Allquist LeRoy Emmeck of Wisconsin; also her much loved and cherished 18 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren. The Memorial Service, officiated by Rev. Ed Frederick will be held at 11am Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the CATURIA-SMIDT FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Seventh St., Hastings, with a visitation held one-half hour prior to the service.