Ida Rachel Fisher

Rachel S. Fisher, 95, of Goshen, passed away Saturday, April 9, 2016 at IU Health Goshen Hospital.

She was born September 15, 1920, in Hesston, Kansas to Herman and Esther (Rodgers) Swartzendruber. She married Robert D. Fisher January 3, 1942 at the home of her parents in Wellman, Iowa. They were privileged to have 69 years together. He preceded her in death January 26, 2011, along with her parents, a son, Lowell, and three brothers, Wallace, Willard, and Don Swartzendruber.

She is survived by a son David (Joy) Fisher of Grottoes, Virginia; two daughters, Julie (Ray) Profeto of Goshen, and Suzette (Leonard) Prokopin of Moreno Valley, California; four grandsons, Anthony (Ammie) Fisher, Jordan (Kim) Fisher, Silas (Kate) Fisher, and Matthew Fisher; four great-grandchildren, Storme Carrol and John, Elizabeth and Theodore Fisher; a brother, Leo (Shirley) Swartzendruber of Grand Junction, Colorado; and a sister, Geneva (Glenn) Stoltzfus of Goshen.

Rachel and Robert volunteered with Mennonite Central Committee in Europe from 1942-1948.

After returning from Europe, Rachel and Robert moved to the farm near Iowa City, Iowa where their four children were born. In 1958 they moved to Scottdale, Pennsylvania to work for Mennonite Publishing House.

She graduated from Hesston Academy, Kansas in 1937 and Hesston Junior College in 1939. She also attended Goshen College and Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart.

Rachel served the Mennonite Church for 30 years in many different capacities. A member of College Mennonite Church, she was called to be their first woman pastor, serving for 11 years, retiring in 1986.

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home