Charlene Fischbach

A Private Family Memorial Mass Service for Charlene Fischbach will be held at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orleans, Nebraska with Father Maurice Current officiating.

Charlene Fischbach, 78 years of age, of Grand Island, Nebraska, formerly of Holdrege, Nebraska passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at the Heritage at Sagewood in Grand Island where she had resided since June of 2019.  Charlene was born October 12, 1941, at Oxford, Nebraska, the eldest of three daughters to Leland and Viola (Delimont) Williams.  She received her primary education from Stamford Public Schools and graduated from Stamford High School in Stamford, Nebraska with the class of 1959.  Following High School, she furthered her education by attending the Parks School of Business in Denver, Colorado.

Charlene grew up on the family farm near Stamford, and could recite many of the colorful stories she learned from her dad.  She loved her horses, Trigger and Diamond, and reading western comic books. Charlene was active in 4-H and enjoyed sports in school.

Charlene was united in marriage to Kenneth Eugene Fischbach on October 7, 1961, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orleans.  The couple proudly built a new home in Holdrege, where Charlene made her career in Banking at the First National Bank.  On September 6, 2000, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth.

The couple spent their weekends at the Harlan County Lake, progressing from tent camping to a 5 ^th wheel camper.  They vacationed as often as possible in Estes Park, Colorado or the Black Hills. Charlene loved the mountains and the lake and always spoke of how at peace she felt in those places. She enjoyed tole painting, Siamese cats, crossword puzzles, reading, her special blend of iced and hot teas, and cooking. Charlene enjoyed wild flowers and every year her garden was filled with columbine.

Charlene and Ken treated their nieces and nephews like their own children and loved to take them boating and camping, as well as enjoyed snow skiing in Colorado.  After Charlene retired and Kens death, she went on yearly vacations with family.  She took many trips to the farm by Stamford or to Kearney to visit her and Ken's siblings, nieces, nephews, and their families.

Besides her parents, and husband, Kenneth; Charlene was preceded in death by her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Gertrude and Albert Fischbach; and nephew, Jeff Fischbach.

Forever cherishing her memories are her two sisters: Margaret Mary Barnes and her husband, Bill of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Raylene Stephens and her husband, Lee of Stamford; brothers-in-law: Ed Fischbach and his wife, Mary of West Hills, California; Ray Fischbach and his wife, Pat of Carmichael, California; Larry Fischbach and his wife, Wanda of Daleville, Virginia; Jim Fischbach and his wife, Linda of Kearney, Nebraska; and Steve Fischbach and his wife, Sheryl of Arlington, Texas; nieces and nephews: Janet Holmquist and her husband, Jim of Simi Valley, California; Gillian Parton and her husband, Ted of Franklin, Nebraska; Ray Chris Fischbach of Carmichael, California; Ryan Fischbach of Fredericksburg, Virginia; Randy Fischbach and his wife, April of Tucson, Arizona; Larry Fischbach Jr. of Roanoke, Virginia; Teri Diederich and her husband, Brandon of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Michelle May and her husband, Marcus of Arden Hills, Minnesota; Pamela Heikes and her husband, Jason of Harrington, Nebraska; Bryan Barnes and his wife, Carrie of Papillion, Nebraska; Chad Stephens and his wife, Lana of Orleans, Nebraska; and Amy Russell and her husband, Anthony of Stamford, Nebraska and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives, and friends.

There will be no visitation as the family is honoring Charlene's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Charlene's honor, and kindly suggested to the St. Mary's restoration project.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.