Dr. Carol Lea Fischer was born in El Paso, Texas on October 25, 1968. She lived all across the Midwest growing up, and as an adult she took up residence in Oklahoma and Iowa. She gave birth to her first child, Benjamin, in 1993 and her second, Samuel, in 1996. She married the love of her life, Scott Fischer, on September 10, 2011, and together they made their home first in North English and later in Forest City where she took a teaching position at Waldorf University.
With her husband and boys at her side, Carol passed away on Friday, February 25, 2022 from complications related to COVID-19. A Celebration of Life service will be conducted this spring or early summer when the flowers are in full bloom. Memorials and tributes can be sent to Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE, Mason City, IA 50401. Plans are in the works to establish a memorial scholarship fund in her name to further her mission of making education accessible to everyone.
Carol was a passionate educator. She taught upper level sciences at Waldorf University and loved every moment of it. She adored her students and put her full self into every aspect of her craft. Her students loved her, as witnessed by the numerous accolades, recognition events, cards, and baked goods she received. She also had a special place in her heart for Waldorf’s international student population, and she regularly played the role of mother hen while they were stateside, inviting them into her home for meals and game nights and even hosting two students. She also was an active member and president of the Faculty Senate.
Carol was a lifelong learner. She had the ambition to better herself through education, earning a Bachelors Degree in Biology from East Central University in Ada, OK in 2007. During her time at ECU, her love of research (and turtles) emerged, which led her to the University of Iowa where in 2013 she earned her PhD in Microbiology. While at the U of I, she constantly presented her research around the United States and even had the chance to advocate for the TRIO program (on behalf of the McNair Scholarship program that helped her succeed at ECU) on Capitol Hill.
Carol was a passionate advocate for social justice and sought to work her life and faith around loving people and fighting for them. As a devoted follower of Christ and His teachings, she saw how flawed our system was and actively worked to educate herself on systemic racism and human rights. She was a major Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fan and always advocated for marginalized populations to be in the room where decisions are made.
Carol was a loving mother and wife, and she loved her family more than anything else. Her boys were the light and pride of her world, and Scott was the love of her life and her favorite partner in crime. She was always the straight shooter in the room, even when surrounded by her three goofballs. Carol loved people from all walks of life and had a zest for living that was contagious to others. Her passion for bettering the lives of her fellow humans will live on through her husband and children and the many lives she has touched.
Carol loved visiting national parks and made it her life’s goal to see them all. Her favorite was Yellowstone. She loved flowers and gardening and being outside in nature. She was a brilliant pianist and served as a church musician in many congregations. She was an avid reader and was always on the hunt for a good book. She was a genius in the kitchen, and her cooking was legendary and in high demand. Her favorite color was red, and she adored family board game and puzzle nights.
Carol’s death was preventable, and we deeply mourn her unnecessary loss. We hope to prevent this tragic event from affecting other families. We ask that the general public listen to educated science and medical professionals in the field.
Carol is survived by hundreds of family members and friends that love her dearly. She enriched every life she came into contact with, and her presence will be deeply felt. She will be missed, but we know her legacy of goodness will live on. She led a truly beautiful life.
“Something beautiful, something good.
All my confusions He understood.
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife,
But He made something beautiful of my life.”
colonialchapels.com
