Fisher, Wanda L. 1937-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.
Wanda Louise Zimmerman (Dredge) Fisher, 87, of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 9, 2025, at the home she cherished, surrounded by her loving family.
Wanda was warm, funny, and engaging – the kind of woman who never let you leave her home hungry, always had time for a story, and somehow made you feel like you belonged the moment you walked through her door.
She was born on June 14, 1937, in Maryville, Missouri, to the late Leonard and LaThella (Dredge) Zimmerman. A proud graduate of Horace Mann High School’s class of 1955, she later attended Platt Business College after moving to St. Joseph.
Wanda retired from American Family Insurance after 22 years of loyal service. Before that, she worked as a school bus driver and broke new ground as St. Joseph’s very first female bread delivery driver in the 1970’s.
Wanda married the love of her life, Orlan Gene Fisher, on Sept. 24, 1956. They shared 56 wonderful years together, raising five children and dancing their way through life at country dances across northwest Missouri, until Gene’s passing in 2013.
A faithful member of Calvary Chapel St. Joseph, Wanda and Gene also opened their home for Bible studies over the years – sharing not just scripture, but laughter, pie, and the kind of fellowship that sticks with you. She and Gene were involved with the Missouri Beekeepers Association and kept many apiaries. Wanda was a talented soap and candle maker, a passionate fisherwoman who could outfish anyone, and an avid tomato grower who loved her garden nearly as much as her kitchen.
In the kitchen, the heart of her home, Wanda was famous for her fried chicken, red velvet cake, and homemade pies, but even more so for her open invitation: anyone was welcome to sit at her table, sip coffee, and enjoy a cookie or two (or three). If you came to visit, you could expect a full plate, a warm smile, and a story worth hearing.
Wanda never met a stranger and was dearly loved by all who knew her. Quick-witted and endlessly kind, she had the rare gift of making everyone feel like family.
She is survived by her children, Brenda Polachek (Chris), Michael Fisher, Gregory Fisher (Betty Ann), Brett Fisher, and Gina Fisher; her sister, Evelyn Knowler (Gary); grandchildren Shawn, Steven, Sarah, Florella, Fallyn, Aubrey, Brian, Tyler, Gregory, Daniel, Juliana, Walter, and Franklin; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family.
In addition to her beloved husband and parents, Wanda was preceded in death by her sister, Patricia Owen, and her brother, Bernard Zimmerman.
A combined celebration of Wanda’s life and what would have been her 88th birthday will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel. She will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will begin at noon Friday at the chapel, with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. that evening. In honor of Wanda’s fierce and abiding love for all children, the family requests memorial donations be made in Wanda’s name to The Noyes Home for Children.
Her hands are at rest, but her legacy lives on in every garden row, handwritten recipe, and steaming cup of coffee shared around a well-loved table. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
