Bernadette “Bernie” Fischer
Bernadette "Bernie" Fischer, age 89, of Springfield, MN died on March 13, 2022, at her home in Springfield.
Visitation was on Friday, March 18, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield and continued on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the church.
Mass was held at the St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springfield, MN, on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
The clergy was Father Garrett Ahlers. Inurnment was at the St. Raphael Catholic Cemetery in Springfield, MN.
Arrangements were with the Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield, MN. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Bernie is now reunited with her love Lennie. Though we all miss her here, we know Mom and Dad are dancing to polka music together in heaven. Mom and Dad were blessed with five biological children, they had so much more love to give, they selflessly took in Cliff, Jeff, Bridget and Chad to raise as their own. Mom and Dad wanted to continue on with the Streich family tradition of concertina music and that was their way to stay connected to the Streich family roots. Mom and Dad taught all nine of their children the importance of having a relationship with the Lord. Their parenting style may have been more strict but the life lessons they shared with all of their children were to be good and honest people. Mom was blessed with such a strong giving heart, her generosity was shown in many different ways. Whether it was helping her family, children, grandchildren, neighbors and friends. Mom's love for all animals showed when she would care for any animal that showed up at her door. Every cat in Brown County knew where to go if they were hungry. She could always be counted on to share her inventive and creative ideas to solve any problem. There wasn't a pair of pants that stood a chance against Mom's clever ideas.
Sewing was her passion. Mom could upholster any type of furniture, whether it be a chair, couch, car seat, or boat tarp. During slow times Mom would create hotpads, laundry bags, tailored car bags and personalized tote bags. Mom was thrifty, inventive, and futuristic, she could easily make something from nothing and would most certainly have become a U-Tube or TikTok sensation.
In the summer months you would find Mom in the garden picking green beans, cucumbers, tomatoes or "speed digging" potatoes or tempting fate on a step ladder to acquire that last apple...
Mom and Dad's first priority was the Fischer Family Farm, where they worked together from 1952-1971. Both had other occupational interests outside of the farm. Mom and Dad owned Lennie's West Side in Cobden. Mom was known for being the over-the-counter psychologist to everyone she served. You may remember a news article where Mom and Dad were nicknamed Dirty Sally and Matt Dillon. Mom also worked as a health care provider at St. John Lutheran Home and was selected for the "Touch of Kindness Award" by her colleagues and later went on to work as a care provider in the home healthcare industry. Mom was also a seasonal employee of Del Monte during the sweet corn harvest.
Mom will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but we find comfort in knowing she is dancing in heaven with Dad.
Bernie is survived by her children, Gerard (Paulette) Fischer of Springfield, MN, Alethea (Roger) Fry of Ankeny, IA, Johnita (Steve) Ihrke of Rochester, MN, Bill (Jeanie Swenson) Fischer of Hillsboro, ND, Kim (Russ) Anderson of Springfield, MN, Clifton (Renita) Streich of Springfield, MN, Jeff Streich of Springfield, MN, Bridget Streich of Otsego, MN, Chad Streich of Alexandria, MN; 22 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Jim (Sharyl) Fischer of St. Michael, MN and Dennis (Lois) Fischer of Sommer, MT. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; stillborn baby boy; siblings, Walter (Mathilda) Sellner, Norbert (Leona) Sellner, Otto (Delores) Sellner, Rose (John) Schmidt, Claire (Walter) Mecklenburg, Esther (Evan) Vasey, Mary (Frank) Eichberger, Cecelia (Tom) Schwartz, Theresa (John) Reiniger, and Veronica (Francis) Dauer; and special friend, Karen Kastner. Bernadette was the last remaining member of the Otto and Theresa Sellner Family.
These words are the contributions of Bernie's children that show their love for her and written by her granddaughter Meghan.
Memorials are preferred to Allina Hospice and the Brown County Humane Society.