Norman Fischer

Norman “Bud” Louis Fischer of Pierre, SD, passed away peacefully on September 28 at 3:45 a.m. in Fargo, N.D. surrounded by loved ones. “Norm” was born August 14, 1929 in Sioux City, IA, to Robert Fischer and Mary Pfanstiel and lived on a farm outside of Osmond, NE. His family lost the farm during the depression and moved to Valentine, NE.

Norm enlisted in the US Army on December 20, 1947. He started as a cook and then became an artillery instructor at Fort Benning, GA. He was deployed oversees as part of the army of occupation in Japan and served in the Korean War. He was proud of his military commendations which included three bronze service stars and a good conduct medal.

Following an honorable discharge on December 29, 1951, Norm returned to Nebraska and worked as a farmhand on the Linaberry farm near Valentine. On December 26, 1953, he married Mary Brown and they moved to Omaha, NE, where Norm attended trade school on the GI bill. Following his graduation, they moved to Rapid City, SD, where he sold and repaired TVs and other appliances for Goode’s Home Furnishing. In 1967, he began working for the South Dakota State Department of Emergency and Disaster Service repairing Geiger counters and training others to use them to detect radiation. The family moved to Pierre, SD, in 1969 when Norm took on additional duties with the department. He eventually became the Emergency Management Director and was involved heavily in coordinating relief efforts for communities impacted by natural disasters until he retired in 1995.

As a younger man, Norm enjoyed racing stock cars, hunting and being outdoors. Norm was a do-it-yourselfer who worked on projects around his house and gardening. In his retirement, he enjoyed “puttering” or “loafin” in his yard. He was a quiet man but gregarious with a dry sense of humor and passers-by would frequently stop to talk when walking by the house. Norm always enjoyed the chats while he would be “loafin” in his yard. Norm moved to Fargo, ND, in 2022 to be closer to family.

Norm is preceeded in death by his wife Mary, both parents, and two brothers (Carl and Al). He is survived by his children Vicki, Steven, Barbara (and Jeff) and Daniel (and Jennie); ten grandchildren; and ten (soon to be 11) great-grandchildren.

He will be interred in Valentine Nebraska with Mary this coming summer. His family would like to thank Ethos Hospice and TouchMark for caring for Norm.