Merrillyn H. (Tracy) Fischer

MERRILLYN HELEN FISCHER

Many of Jesus’ disciples were fishermen, and Merrillyn would fit right in.  Merrillyn Helen Fischer, age 82, was an active member of her church with a strong faith and caring heart, and was one heck of a cane pole fisherwoman. Merrillyn was born on October 25, 1938 to the late Giles Tracy and Mary Rachwal in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She passed away peacefully on March 13, 2021 at Azura Memory Care of Wausau with family by her side.  She spent her childhood attending Fratney Street Elementary School and teen years at Riverside High School graduating in 1956.  During these years she became heavily involved with the Mazur Dance Troupe which led to a lifetime passion of dance.  After high school, she attended UW-Lacrosse where she met her future husband, Thomas E. Fischer, and they dated throughout their college years.  Both were involved in  campus ministry through the Newman Center.  Merrillyn graduated with a BS degree in Mathematics and Physical Education to go on to a teaching career at Highland Park High School in Illinois, Bradford High School in Kenosha, and later a substitute teacher in Clintonville, Marion and Wausau.  She also was the head coach of the gymnastics program at Clintonville Senior High School for several years and was the director of choreography for the swing choir.  Merrillyn enjoyed traveling with her family throughout her life.  In the 26 years after Tom’s retirement, Merrillyn and Tom made 23 trips with various family members visiting such places as Washington DC, Las Vegas, Branson, Gulf Shores and many others.  But her favorite was Tarpon Springs during the winter where she enjoyed the Greek culture.

Merrillyn married Thomas on August 12, 1961 at St. Mary Czestochowa Church in Milwaukee and soon began her most satisfying part of her life journey; raising a family and encouraging her children in their lives.  She loved to go to her cabin in Grandview, Wisconsin and later Pickerel Point, where she helped teach her kids and grandchildren her lifelong passion of fishing.  Often, with one kid in the back of a canoe with a fly rod, and another in front with a casting rod.  She held on to the side of the canoe for dear life with one hand and holding a cane pole in the other, all the while out-fishing everyone in the boat.  Later Merrillyn and Tom bought a hobby farm in Clintonville where they raised beef and had an extensive garden.  She would can and freeze everything the family harvested, passing on her gardening lessons to her kids and making sure the garden was immaculate.  The farm also had horses, where she and her daughter Tracy would ride and train their horses to compete in the western riding division of North Eastern Appaloosa Horse Club circuit.  The entire family would attend these horse shows and camp in a homemade camper, developing a love for camping that would endure throughout their lives.   Merrillyn was also a sports mom, carting her kids to all kinds of sporting activities.  In addition, as a Cub Scout Den Mother and 4-H leader she earned her first gray hairs. She also developed a love for drawing, painting and other artistic endeavors becoming an accomplished artist who helped her grandchildren develop their artistic talents as well. As dedicated as she was as a mother, she was just as dedicated to her ten grandchildren as she was the ultimate cheerleader at their sporting events and artistic ventures.  She loved to play board games with them and helped build their imaginations.

Merrillyn was very active in the church.  At St. Rose in Clintonville, she helped organize and teach in the CCD program.  While at St. Matthew’s church in Wausau she was the fundraising chair for the Holly Hall Craft Fair for many years and belonged to the St. Matt’s Quilters who made blankets and quilts to give to people in need.  She also found fellowship in 5 different Bridge groups.  Merrillyn had a caring heart for anyone who was down or less fortunate.  Her kind and caring heart showed through in everything she did.  As she battled Parkinson’s Disease with Lewy Body Dementia in her final years, her loving soul and faith in her Lord could be seen every day in how she interacted with her fellow residents and staff at Azura Memory Care as well as with her family during the covid pandemic which limited in-person visits.  Music became a gateway to many joyous moments with her family.  “You are My Sunshine” became her anthem.  And when it was time to leave, her famous whistle would summon the staff that the visit was over.  And I’m sure St. Peter is hearing that whistle right now letting him know she has her cane pole ready to go fishing once again.

Merrillyn is survived by her loving husband Thomas Fischer, and her four children Mike (Elizabeth) Fischer of Wausau, Mathew (Dawn) Fischer of Plover, Tracy (Patrick) Hopkins of West DePere and Kevin (Joan) Fischer of Waunakee.  She is also survived by 10 grandchildren:  Benjamin (Lisa), Timothy (Cathi), Mackenzie (Mitch), Shannon, Katherine, Andrew, Samantha, Max, Halle and Casey as well as 2 great grandchildren Arya and Logan.  She is preceded in death by her parents Giles Tracy and Mary Rachwal, and her brother, Daniel Tracy.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Saturday March 20, 2021 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Wausau.  Rev. Robert Thorn will preside.  Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Kronenwetter.   Visitation will be from 9 a.m. in the Angelorum of St. Matthew until the time of the funeral mass.  The service will also be live streamed on the on St. Matthew Catholic Church site.  Due to the pandemic, there will be no reception after the service.  However, a picnic celebration of Merrillyn’s life will be held this summer for all who would like to attend.  The date will be announced at a later time.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Merrillyn’s name to -

The Lewey Body Dementia Association

912 Killian Hill Road, S.W.

Lilburn, GA 30047

Or made securely online at  https://www.lbda.org/

In addition, donations can also be made to Azura Memory Care of Wausau for their “Activities Fund”.  Tom and his family would like to especially thank the Azura Memory Care of Wausau staff and Heartland Hospice for their wonderful and devoted care of Merrillyn.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com

The Lewey Body Dementia Association
912 Killian Hill Road, S.W., Lilburn GA 30047
Web: https://www.lbda.org/