Ida Olson Fischer
Ida Olson Fischer
March 10, 1911 - Feb. 11, 2007
Ida passed from this life to the next Sunday, Feb. 11, 2007, at home enfolded in her family's love.
Ida was born in Brainerd, Minn., to Mary Finne Olson and John Olson. She was the eighth of 16 children born in that family. She spent her school years in the Brainerd Public Schools and graduated from high school there. She attended Sunday school and church at the Swedish Baptist Church, which later became known as Temple Baptist Church. Later in her life she would be married and baptized with her husband and daughter there.
After graduation from high school, Ida moved to Minneapolis to help take care of a married sister. She eventually worked at the Curtis Hotel as a cashier. While working at the hotel, she met John Fischer who also worked at the hotel. They were married in Brainerd on June 17, 1939. John and Ida lived in Minneapolis until John was drafted into the Army during WWII. In 1942, Ida followed John all over the Southwest where he was stationed. She drove by herself which was quite brave for a woman of her time. Their only daughter, Susan Marie, was born while they were living in Manhattan, Kan. When John was sent to the Pacific theater, Ida and Susan moved back to Brainerd to live with her parents.
When John was discharged from the Army in 1945 they made Brainerd their home. Ida was always good with money. She kept her own checkbook balanced to the penny and worked as a cashier in J.C. Penney's department store. She was also a secretary at the Brainerd Chamber of Commerce and as a payroll clerk at the Brainerd State School and Hospital.
After Ida's retirement she and John would spend winters in Bakersfield, Calif., where their daughter and family lived. In 1995 they moved to Corvallis to be near their daughter and family again.
Ida was a peacemaker. She always tried to see the good in everyone. Her high school yearbook had the quote "In her quietness there is charm." She had a quiet sense of humor and enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles and being with her family and friends. She taught her family by example how to live and how to die. Her family will miss her but we know her spirit resides in the presence of God.
She is survived by her husband of 67 years, John; and daughter, Susan Cooley, and husband Richard, of Corvallis; granddaughters, Dr. Kimberly Larson-Ohlsen, and husband, Taylor, of Denver, and Kara Plemmons, and husband, John, of Sherwood, Ore. Also, surviving her are great-grandchildren, Jordan and Madison Plemmons and Nicolette and Jaden Ohlsen. She has two remaining sisters, Nana Fischer and Jean Olson, both of Brainerd. She was preceded in death by all 13 other sisters and brothers; and her beloved great-grandson, Austin Plemmons.
A memorial service will be held at First Christian Church, Sixth and Madison in Corvallis on Friday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m. Burial is in Willamette National Cemetery.