Vita of Sr. Yvonne Fischer, OSF
I was born on Sunday morning July 18, 1943 at the Fischer family home on East 3rd Street in Delphos, OH. My parents were John and Emma Fischer and they named me Arlene Rose Fischer. Being good Catholic parents, I was taken to St. John’s Church that same afternoon to be baptized by Father Cletus J. Gates. Grandpa, Ben Dickriede and Grandma, Rose Pothast Fischer were my Godparents. I soon learned I had two older brothers, Robert who was 5 and Arnold 3. Six years later my family was blessed by a younger brother, Vernon.
I attended St. John’s Catholic School in Delphos, and was taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame of Toledo, OH. I received my First Communion on May 6, 1951 and was Confirmed in the fifth grade. Aunt Stella Suever was my sponsor. I graduated from the 8th grade at Delphos St. Johns on May 23, 1957. My 8th grade teacher, Sister Joetta often wrote notes on my papers suggesting I think about becoming a sister. These notes influenced me and I began to consider religious life and so did my friend, Janice Spieles. One Sunday afternoon Janice and her parents went with us to check out the Tiffin Franciscans. There we saw the novices playing basketball with the preps and we experienced the graciousness of Sister Adela Diller. Both Janice and I signed up that day to attend St. Francis Convent High School.
On August 28, 1960 I entered St. Francis Convent as a postulant. There were 13 postulants in my class. On May 26, 1961 I graduated from St. Francis Convent High School. On August 12, 1961 I received the habit and was given the name, Sister Mary Yvonne. I professed my first vows on August 12, 1963 and my perpetual vows on August 12, 1968.
I took College courses at Mary Manse College in Toledo, St. Francis College in Joliet, IL, and St. Teresa College in Winona, MN. I graduated from Mary Manse College on May 24, 1970, with a BA, Major in Social Studies and a Minor in Elementary Education.
I began my teaching ministry in 1966 and served at these parish schools: Carey, New Washington, and Custar. My summers were spent volunteering at St. Anthony’s Villa and in 1974 at the request of Sister Cecilia Buchman I became a Child Care Worker at St. Anthony’s. It was a wonderful opportunity to be a Mom to Junior girls between the ages of 6-9. I never realized how precious my family was until I experienced troubled children and broken families. While at St. Anthony’s Villa I attended Toledo University and on December 16, 1978 received a MA in Education and a major in Guidance and Counselor Education. I continued to minister to children as a Guidance Counselor in seven Catholic inner city schools in Toledo from 1978-1983 through the Catholic School Office.
In 1983 I began my parish ministry. I was Pastoral Associate at St. Mary parish in Defiance from 1983-1990. I loved working and walking with parishioners in spiritual direction and the RCIA process. On August 12, 1986 I celebrated my Silver Jubilee. It was a mixed celebration for me because Mom died a year before on July 10, 1985.
In 1989 I had the wonderful opportunity of making the Franciscan Pilgrimage along with Sister Marguerite Lamberjack. While on Pilgrimage I met Father Mike Higgins, a TOR Franciscan who is today a very good friend.
During the 1980’s Bishop Hoffman was open to having Pastoral Leaders assigned to parishes in the Diocese. I was interested in this ministry and joined a pool of potential priests and sisters. I also asked the community to attend Washington Theological Union in Silver Spring, MD from 1990-1992 to update my theology. I graduated from Washington Theological Union on May 8 1992 and received a Master’s degree in Theological Studies and a certificate in Spiritual Direction. On March 25th Dad died. Sister Bea Koerper, who was at Lima at the time, encouraged me to apply at St. Gerard’s while home for Dad’s funeral since Sr. Bea was going to move and I needed to find a ministry. I applied and became the Director of Religious Education at St. Gerard parish in Lima from 1992-1994. Dad’s prayers were answered; he wanted me to be close to home.
On May 7, 1994 Bishop Hoffman assigned me as Pastoral Leader of St. Mary Parish in Bluffton. It was during my first year in the parish that I was diagnosed with cancer. After surgery and chemo treatments, my doctor reminded me that I was a miracle and I believe it. During my eight years as Pastoral Leader at St. Mary in Bluffton, I also had the opportunity of teaching a class at Bluffton University called, Catholic History and Thought and the parish purchased two adjacent properties for further expansion and development.
In 2002 I was elected to Community Leadership. Bishop Hoffman installed our team on June 30. During this administration community focus and attention was on the Constitution, Land Easement and the study of convent buildings. In 2006 I was re-elected to the leadership team and we were installed by Bishop Leonard Blair on June 25, 2006. Our Community focus was on Franciscan Morning and Evening Praise, establishing the Mission Advancement Office, preparations for taking down Motherhouse buildings and purchasing of Freedman Village. From 2006-2010 I also ministered at St. Mary’s in Clyde as Director of Religious Formation.
After leaving leadership, I was lucky to find a Pastoral Associate position open at St. Joseph parish in Plymouth, OH where I served from 2010-2014 and was also community Novice Director and member of the formation team. I delighted in giving classes to Sister Lourdes and traveling to Chiapas, MX. On August 7, 2011 I celebrated my Golden Jubilee with four classmates.
2015 was a year of transition. I continued formation ministry and volunteered in the Mission Advancement Office. In 2016 I moved to Lima and began my ministry with the elderly. I coordinated Pastoral Care ministry for St. Charles parish and volunteered at St. Rita’s hospital in the Spiritual Care area. One of the many blessings at this time was again living close to many family members.
In November 2021 I celebrated my 60th Jubilee with classmates: Leonette Schweighart, Bernice Hartman, Carol Pothast, Carol Inkrott and the community.
In the summer of 2025 I moved back to Tiffin and lived in an apartment in ESA. I was wondering what my future ministry would be. The answer came in January, 2026 when I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I spent the next few months getting ready for the biggest journey of my life.
I wish to thank all who have walked with me during my life, giving me God’s love and grace.
Sister Yvonne Fischer died on Thursday, April 23rd after spending a glorious day with family members on Wednesday. Now she can fully say with all her heart,
My lover belongs to me and I to him. He speaks to me, “Arise, my beloved, my beautiful one and come”!