Norma M. Fisher

Norma (Quill) Fisher, 96, passed away peacefully with family at her side on December 10, 2022 in West Des Moines, IA.

Norma was born February 1, 1926 to Reverend Martin Quill and Nora (Rossing) Quill in Waco, TX. At age three, her life was forever influenced by the experiment of a Baylor University music professor who wanted to see how young someone might benefit from piano instruction. This experiment led to Norma’s mastery of piano and organ. A gift she returned throughout her life by giving recitals, instructing others, and playing for churches and choirs.

Amidst the Great Depression, the Quill family moved to Ridgeway, IA where Reverend Quill became pastor to two Lutheran congregations. Norma grew up in the church parsonage on a country acreage. She loved to share stories of growing up on the farm and her life in a small predominately Norwegian community.

Norma graduated from Luther College in Decorah, IA in 1947. While a student, she met her husband who got to Luther on the GI Bill following WWII. The two became teachers and throughout the years served schools in Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa. Norma was a lifelong learner with two Master’s Degrees. She was an incessant reader and traveled the world. While in her eighties she toured China for three weeks.

Norma was devoted to church and community. She made extraordinary contributions to organizations in Red Oak, IA, Buffalo Lake and Slayton, MN. In retirement in West Des Moines, she sang in the choir and was on the church council at St. Mark Lutheran Church.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Gynter, David and Roy Quill, and her husband, Dr. Ransom Fisher, a retired school superintendent. She leaves to mourn two children and their spouses Rand and Cyndi (Harmeyer) Fisher of Clive, IA and Cynthia and Rev. James Krapf of Pensacola, FL along with five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

At a later date the family will hold a celebration of Norma’s life. Messages to the family can be left at www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com and memorials may be sent to Luther College at ww.luther.edu.