Gerald M. Fischer

Rock Valley, IA: Gerald M. Fischer, 86, of Rock Valley, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at Hegg Health Center in Rock Valley. Private family services will be held Saturday, January 9, 2021, at 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Rock Valley with Father Douglas Klein celebrating the mass. Family inurnment will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery of Rock Valley at a later date. Visitation, with some family present, will be held at Porter Funeral Home of Rock Valley on Friday, January 8, 2021, from 5:00-7:00 PM. 

   Gerald Michael Fischer, son of Fred and Magdalena (Fredrick) Fischer, was born September 29, 1934, near Hospers, Iowa. He was raised in the Hospers area where he attended Saint Anthony Catholic School. After graduating high school, Gerald worked in construction and farming. On December 27, 1954, Gerald and his twin brother, Harold, volunteered for the draft and entered the United States Army where they honorably served their country for 2 years.

   On September 17, 1960, Gerald was united in marriage with Yvonne Bunning of Merrill, Iowa. Together they made their home in Rock Valley, Iowa where Gerald would work fulltime in construction. In 1965, he entered into a partnership with Fred Vander Weerd of Orange City, Iowa. Mr. Vander Weerd incurred poor health early on and the business became known as Fischer Masonry Construction. In 1992, Gerald was joined in partnership with his son, Nick M. Fischer.

   Over the years, Gerald served on several boards, including: Hegg Memorial Hospital Board and the Saint Mary’s Catholic Church Board, both of Rock Valley. Gerald served with a HEART to make things the best they could be.

   Gerald is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Yvonne Fischer of Rock Valley; 2 sons, Mark (Maureen) Fischer of Richfield, Minnesota and Nick M. (Shelly) Fischer of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; 3 daughters, Judith Pastrano of Sioux Falls, Janelle Fischer of San Antonio, Texas, and JoAnn (James) Fischer Pearson of Pierre, South Dakota; 8 grandchildren, Carrie (Blake) Ball of Aubrey, Texas, Michael Fischer of Richfield, David (Kristen) Fischer of Gurnee, Illinois, Joseph Fischer of Richfield, Xavier (Suzanne) Pastrano of Sioux Falls, Kenzie Fischer of Sioux Falls, Lauren Fischer of Sioux Falls, and Margot Pearson of Pierre; and 4 great-grandsons, Jacob and Ethan Ball of Aubrey, Rowan Pastrano of Sioux Falls, and Gabriel Fischer of Gurnee.

   He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Magdalena; 2 brothers, John and Frederick; 3 sisters, Rosella, Marian, and Christine; 2 brothers-in-law, Firmin and Donald; and sister-in-law, Catherine.