Aug. 18, 1923 — April 29, 2018
Colette Frances (Venteicher) Fischer daughter of Herman and Catherine (Kraus) Venteicher was born Aug. 18, 1923, in Willey. Colette grew up in Willey, where she received her education. She then attended Iowa School of Cosmetology in Des Moines. After she graduated she worked at the Janell Beauty Shop in Des Moines. After she left Des Moines she worked at the Hannasch Beauty Shop in Carroll.
Colette was united in marriage on Nov. 26, 1945, to Ott Fischer at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Willey, IA by Reverend H.J. Dries. Three children were born to this union. She joined Ott in Tacoma, Wash., where he was stationed during WWII. She operated a beauty shop there until he was discharged and returned to Carroll. Following their return, their daughter, Paula was born in 1947 and later their son, Kenneth was born in 1949. Cookie and Ott moved to St. Benedict and operated the grocery store, tavern and Post Office. Due to Kenneth’s Cystic Fibrosis diagnosis, Cookie and her children moved to Tucson, Ariz., in 1953. Ott traveled back and forth while still operating the grocery store, tavern and Post Office. While in Tucson, Randy, their third son was born in 1954. He was also diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. They lost both sons to cystic fibrosis.
In 1966, they moved to the Amana Colonies and operated a store and café in South Amana. They then built a car museum in the Colonies and enjoyed all the tourists.
In 1978, they moved to Algona. After the tornado, they opened up a woodworking and refinishing shop and dearly loved to work with wood. In 2000, they decided to retire and sold their shop, but were not happy in an apartment so they built a new home and again went back to work.
Cookie enjoyed bowling, playing cards, fixing hair, and baking. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Cookie was a member of the St. Cecelia Catholic Church and Catholic Daughters of America at St. Benedict.
Cookie died Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Kossuth Regional Health Center, Algona. She was 94.
Colette is survived by her husband of 72 years, Ott; daughter, Paula K. See; three granddaughters, Carrie (Wayne) Hester of Mount Pleasant, Theresa (Jason) Fisher of Washington, and Becky (Ben Mitchell) See of Seattle, Wash.; five great-grandchildren, Tyler Wade of Winfield, Randy (Kaitie) Wade of Winfield, Katie Wade of Iowa City, Chloe Fisher of Washington, Nathan Hester of Mount Pleasant; great-great-granddaughter, Taylor Ann Wade of Winfield; sisters, Loraine Irlbeck of Carroll; special friends, Carol Ludwig and Brian Brace; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, two sons, Kenneth Fischer and Randy Fischer; brothers, Albert Venteicher, Louis Venteicher, Leonard Venteicher, and Ed Venteicher; sisters, Hilda Bierl, Leone Schmitz, Mildred Rohe.
Online condolences may be made to www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com.