Section: 327 Lot: 162 Grave: 4

Obituary

Charlotte Ann (Denz) Fisher, 88, fought a courageous battle with cancer that ended on February 6, 2020.

She was the daughter of Frank L. Denz Sr. and Anna Gertrude (Woodcock) Denz of Burlington, Iowa.

Charlotte is survived by her two children, Jim A. Fisher of Silverdale, Washington, Reba (Steve) J. Leonard of Plano, Texas, her sister Anna "Rosie" Buckingham of Fairfield, Iowa, her brother Frank L. Denz Jr. of Escondido, California, four grandchildren, one great grandson, numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews, as well as a great grand niece and nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gail D. Fisher of Burlington, Iowa, a brother, Arthur Denz Sr. of Hemet, California, her nephew Arthur Denz Jr., of Hemet, California, and a granddaughter, Alicia (Faulk) Wallace of Silverdale, Washington.

Born and raised in Burlington, Iowa, she graduated Burlington High School in the Class of 1949. She attended Burlington Junior College to earn her teaching credentials.

She married Gail Deo Fisher of Stanhope, Iowa on February 4, 1961. They resided in Fairfield, Iowa for a short time before moving to Burlington to raise their family. Charlotte did not remarry following Gail's death in 1980.

She worked part time as a grocery store clerk during school and taught elementary school for a short time after college. She would go on to work at Burlington Farm Machinery as an office manager. During her 20 year career with Burlington Farm, she would be promoted to co-manager of the dealership before retiring to care for her father. During her semi-retirement, Charlotte assisted in tax preparations for a local CPA, and finally, she earned her insurance agent license, assisting in the office at Capps Insurance Agency until her full retirement.

Charlotte’s greatest love was spending time with her family. Large holiday gatherings were planned in great detail, and the entire family looked forward to her lovingly prepared feasts that included a cherry pie made with cherries from her own cherry tree. Her nephew Ron always got the pit, and it became part of the ritual of family gatherings to watch with anticipation as Ron ate his pie to see if the pit showed up on cue. It was a peculiar badge of pride, her ability to conjure the pit in Ron’s piece of pie, no matter who selected the piece given to him. She worked tirelessly to ensure everyone could enjoy the day eating, laughing, and ultimately napping. She was a working Mom, but kept a warm household, and cooked dinner every night for her family. A family meal at the table was expected, and she always provided a hearty menu. She took up cake decorating in her retirement and made many beautiful birthday and wedding cakes for friends and family. She really enjoyed making others happy.

She was known for her beautiful smile, which she flashed quickly and often. Her health care providers often commented that she was their favorite patient because she always had a big smile for them. She loved jokes and puns and laughed with abandon at the ones she found particularly clever. She kept her mind active by doing word search puzzles every day. She loved them. In her last months, she completed over 1,000 word search puzzles. It’s just what she loved.

She was a woman of strong and steadfast faith, and she loved her faith family as much as her actual family. She attended Riverside Baptist (originally Grace Baptist) Church for over 40 years, continually serving as the pianist every Sunday and Wednesday. Nothing gave her more peace than to sit and play the old standard hymns on her piano. Even after she was no longer able to play for her church, she would play at home and sing along with enthusiasm and joy. Charlotte also taught Sunday School throughout most of her tenure as a church member. She looked forward to pot-luck dinners with a special happiness, eager to prepare large pans of potatoes, vegetables and her beautiful cakes.

Charlotte eventually moved to Plano, Texas in 2002 to live with her daughter, Reba, and family, and it was in Plano that she passed quietly. Burlington was always home in her mind. Even after nearly 20 years, we knew the phrase "back home" meant Burlington, and "down here" meant the place she was grateful to be but could never replace the home where she grew up and lived her wonderful life.

She will be dearly missed by all the family and friends who knew her.

A funeral service will be held at Prugh's Chapel downtown at 10:00 a.m., February 22, 2020. Burial will be at Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington, Iowa immediately following the funeral service. A reception with luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Fellowship Hall of Riverside Baptist Church at 313 Emmett Street, Burlington, Iowa.

A memorial has been established for Bed Start, Inc. of Plano, Texas, a local ministry of sharing providing gently used home furnishings to those in need.