Judy Irene (Woell) Fisher
Judy Fisher Obituary
“God got an amazing Angel today!”
Judy Irene Woell Fisher, 74, of Vaughn, Mont., died Feb. 9, 2021, surrounded by her husband of 56 years and their family.
Born July 17, 1946, in Union Hospital in Mayville, N.D., she was the daughter of R.W. Woell and Inga (Johnson) Woell of rural Clifford, N.D. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith, attended Sunday school and was confirmed in the Perry Lutheran Church of rural Portland, N.D. She attended Edendale Township #2 rural school in Steele County, N.D., then Clifford, N.D., elementary school and graduated from Clifford-Galesburg High School in 1964. She attended Mayville State College, Mayville, N.D., and graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. She later received a Master of Arts in Education from Minot State College, Minot, N.D., in 1974. Her teaching career spanned over 37 years in schools in North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and Montana, working in special education with special needs children. In Montana, she taught in Loy and Valley View elementary schools in Great Falls, retiring from the Great Falls Public Schools district in 2004.
Judy married James Earl Fisher of rural Portland, N.D., on July 12, 1964, and they began their life together in Mayville where their two sons, Jeff and Jerry were born.
Although the family lived apart when Jim’s employment took him away from home, they corresponded every day through phone calls, letters, texts and e-mails. Jim retired in 2008 and they lived their retirement years in Great Falls and later in Vaughn. They enjoyed their summers on their mountain property near Lincoln, Mont.
Judy was an active member of several education associations, serving in various leadership capacities, working for the children. They were the heart of everything she did. She was a member of the Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Great Falls.
Judy was more than just a member of the Sons of Norway Lodsen Lodge #138 of Great Falls. She was a strong pillar, supporting the lodge and its many parts, working to maintain the Norwegian heritage through crafts, language, and foods. She held many offices on several levels, local and district. Highlights of a trip to Norway in 1999 were meeting new-found relatives and visiting the church of her ancestral great-grandparents. In Norway, she purchased fabric and notions to make her bunad in the design of the region of her ancestors.
Although small in stature, she had a big heart, putting all her efforts into whatever project was before her and helping whomever she could in any way.
Judy is survived by her husband, James; sons, Jeff (Sherri Just) of Lincoln, Mont. and Jerry (Sara) of Gillette, Wyo.; grandsons, Jonathan Fisher of Jackson Hole, Wyo., and Trevor Fisher of Marysville, Wash.; a sister, Shelia Anderson (Gary Moen) of Clifford N.D., and a brother, Robert (Yvette) Woell of Bolingbrook, Ill.; brother-in-law, Richard (Linda) Fisher of Lake Park, Minnesota; aunts, Kathleen LoPresti and Donna Johnson; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by parents, R.W. and Inga Woell; grandson, Spenser Fisher, and in-laws, Earl and Mildred Fisher.
Visitation will be on Feb. 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with Funeral Services on Sat., Feb. 27, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Croxford Funeral Home of Great Falls. COVID protocol will be followed and the number of attendees limited. Interment will be in the Manchester Cemetery, Manchester, Mont. Croxford Funeral Home of Great Falls, Mont., is in charge of the arrangements. Service will be live streamed on the croxfordfuneralhome.com website, just click on her obituary, then the livestream link. The actual Funeral Service is limited to 50. Anyone planning to attend the service in person Please RSVP by phone to Jeff Fisher (+1 360-250-7127) to be placed on the list.
Memorial donations are being accepted by the family and will be given to the following in Judy's name.
Our Saviors Church of Great Falls
Sons of Norway Lodge #138
Smith and Wesson Historical Foundation
Please indicate preference (if any) on the donation.
Blessed be the memory of Judy Fisher.
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