Carl H Fischer

Carl H. Fischer, 98, of St. Charles died Wednesday November 23, 2005 at Whitewater Healthcare Center in St. Charles. Carl was born May 22, 1907 in Dorchester, WI to Dominick and Emma (Zaudke) Fischer. He graduated from Winona State College, where he participated in sports, lettering in track. Carl and Shirley Oswald Callahan were married June 8, 1968. She died January 26, 1988. In 1927, at the age of 22, Carl became indoctrinated in the Gladiolus flower. He grew and bred Gladiolus for the rest of his life with his work at his Noweta Gardens. Through the eight year process of hybridizing the Gladiolus for each species, Carl created 100 of the current 180 All-American Glads. He received many awards for his glads; one of his most prominent was the 1997 Gold Medal from the Society of American Florists. Another amazing feat was the fact that Carl received 100 certificates of award from the All-American Gladiolus Society. Only 120 had been given out in the organizations history. Survivors include two step-daughters, Betty Virnig and Verna Gaulke, both of St. Charles, nieces and nephews, Joyce (Jerald) Newton of Riceville, IA; Lyman (Marlee) Fischer of Green Bay, WI; Gordon (Mary) Marshfield, WI; Howard Fischer of Lake City; Rev. Janet Fischer of Zumbrota, and Pam 9Bob) Finstrom of Ottertail, MN, a sister-in-law Dolores Fischer of Zumbrota, and a brother-in-law Anvie Peterson of Roseville, MN. In addition to his wife Carl was preceded in death by a brother Walter and two sisters, Edna Peterson and Louine Franz.