Barbara Diane Fisher

   “Don’t cry because it is over, smile  because it happened”   – Dr. Seuss, selected by Barb Fisher

   Barbara Diane Fisher, 78, of Longville, MN, passed away on June 29, 2022 after a three year battle with cancer. Barb was born in San Mateo, California on June 11, 1944, to D. C, “Bucky” and Patricia Wolter. Barb’s father was a WWII U.S. Coast Guard veteran. At a young age, the family moved to Spencer, Iowa until 1957, when the family relocated to Lancaster, California. Barb graduated from Antelope Valley High School in 1962, where she was a cheerleader and played percussion for the marching band. Her favorite quote from her band director was “Results, not excuses” and she used the phrase for the rest of her life. Barb went on to Antelope Valley Junior College in 1963 and graduated from California State University Long Beach in 1966. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. Two days after graduation, on June 12, 1966, Barb married Tom Fisher in Lancaster, CA. Barb taught first grade in Love’s Park, Illinois in 1967-1968 and obtained a master’s degree in Education from Rockford College, Rockford, IL. She taught physical education at Tehachapi High School Tehachapi, California from 1969 – 1970. 

   In 1968, son Scott was born in Lancaster, California, then in 1972 son Todd was born in Long Beach, California. In 1973 daughter Danielle came along and finally son Sean was born in 1976 in Minneapolis, MN. The Fisher family settled in Fridley, Minnesota when husband Tom was transferred to Minnesota from California. 

   Barb was an avid golfer and constantly active with various tennis groups. In the early years, a playpen was often seen near the court containing one or two of her children. She also coached the JV Tennis team at Spring Lake Park HS. 

   Around 1982 Barb began a career as a substitute teacher in the Columbia Heights School District, in the schools her children attended. Barb continued substitute teaching at both Remer HS and in the elementary schools in District 218, where she continued to teach until her cancer made this impossible in late 2019. She always drew a simple fish on the blackboard in her assigned classroom first thing, and thus her students knew Mrs. Fisher was going to teach that day. She enjoyed entertaining her students with stories of “Fisher Family Fiascos” but her own children did not always appreciate the tales. By all accounts her students loved her! 

   In the mid 1980’s Barb and Tom purchased a cabin on Lake Wabedo near Longville, MN. Barb and Tom moved permanently to Longville in 1995, where they lived on the lake ever since. The house and added cabins on the lake became the focal point for family get togethers that included the four children, their spouses, and eventually ten grandchildren. Barb was meticulous about keeping the beach well-kept and many memories were created there including epic bonfires with the family. Barb loved playing drums and often showed off her percussion skills at the Longville Christmas concert. Barb would often improvise the percussion parts to match the music. 

Barb tired of the Minnesota winters and convinced her husband they should travel for a few weeks each winter to escape the cold. She convinced Tom to travel to New Zealand every other year for 4-6 weeks. The trips became a shared passion and continued from 2000 to 2020 until cancer and COVID interfered. Barb and Tom had a love affair with the beautiful people and scenery of that country.

   Barb was known for her unstoppable positive attitude, infectious smile, grit, and notoriously adventurous spirit. She had many “wild ideas” that her family reluctantly engaged in, only to find that the adventures turned out better than anyone expected. These were always a joyous victory for Barb to celebrate! Barb loved “mandatory” family and friends card games where winning was never as important to her as the camaraderie and joy of being together. 

   Barb had a passion for life and all the individuals who joined her along life’s journey. Her joy came from relationships and shared experiences with those she loved. She cared deeply for her friends and family and was uniquely authentic with her heart. Her desire to advocate and care for others was ignited further after her diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 2019. She became a champion for ovarian cancer research, outreach, and education. Driven to contribute to the cancer community, she worked tirelessly to make others feel loved and cared for by sewing and distributing “Barb’s Beanies.” Her beanies are donated to cancer survivors all over the country, six cancer centers in the state of Minnesota, and in MOCA Cares Kits through the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Society. Barb’s Beanies will live-on and continue to donate in her honor. 

   Barb is survived by her husband Tom of 56 years, children Scott (Victoria), Todd (Andrea), Dani (Aaron), Sean (Lori) and sister Kim Wolter Spratt. She was preceded in death by her sister Tammy. Barb is also a beloved grandmother to Charlie, Aleia, Sam, Aiden, Haven, George, Antonia, Logan, Thomas, and Tyson. 

   A private Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, all donations in memory of Barb should be made to Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA), 4604 Chicago Ave Minneapolis, MN 55407 or contribute online at mnovarian.org