Dorothy Maxine Fisher, 102

On March 3, 2025, Earth paused for a small moment when Dorothy released her spirit from this world. Dorothy Maxine Fisher died from old age at 102 years.

She was born in Spokane, Washington, on April 7, 1922, the oldest of four daughters (Dorothy Fisher, Betty Bras, Barbara Altig, and Glenna Schaeffer) to father Levi Tonnar and mother Blanche (House) Tonnar. 

Dorothy was a devoted daughter and absolute oldest sister, providing leadership and courage, tireless love and support, and a welcoming home. In death, Dorothy had lived 75 years in her Coram home.

Dorothy married Vernon Ray Fisher in Phillipsburg on April 12, 1941. While Ray served his country in the Army, built fences in the CCC’s (Civil Conservation Corps), operated cranes in the California shipyards, worked the mines in Globe, Arizona, and Butte.

Dorothy worked with her parents then started her own household operation. Ray and Dorothy had five children, Margaret Rae, and Marvin Lee, both born in Butte. They moved to Coram in 1945 and began working in the woods and sawmills with extended family. 

In Coram, Patricia Ann, Robert Paul, and Raymond Earl joined the hardworking family. They eventually started Fisher Trucking, hauling logs and eventually, grain. 

Dorothy was the live-in record-keeper, taxpayer, and paymaster. In good times and in tough times, the family thrived under the trucking umbrella. Generosity and hard work were the standard mode of operation …. Family traditions respected, taught, and expected today.

While keeping the books and raising her full of life household, Dorothy was also an active member of the Coram Ladies Aide, the Coram Firemen Auxiliary, the Coram PTA, and the Coram Water Board.

 Dorothy canned every year, cases of beautiful canning; every peach, carrot, cucumber, berry, tomato, bean, pear, whatever she could find! She found time to create beautiful sewing and embroidery projects (always given as gifts), faithful to photography and photo albums, and was a prolific scrapbooker. She was an avid reader and curious about the unknown, always seeking answers and information. She was forever amid letter writing, staying connected with distant family. She was always patriotic, and American flags were flying at her home. She volunteered at the local elections for years. In 1957, Dorothy was honored with The Meritorious Service Award for her time in the Ground Observer Corps. With her charts and curious nature, she identified low flying aircraft sneaking under the radar and notified the designated officials of what she spied in the sky.

…. We think she was fabulous!!! 

Sunday drives, fishing, hunting, camping, picnicking, huckleberry picking, getting firewood, cleaning the shop, cooking burgers outside … all were family events and everyone participated. Being home for dinner was the expectation, seated around the table and dinner was served.

Dorothy was a faithful homemaker and a good cook. Last to bed and early to rise, Dorothy had coffee made and breakfast ready … every day! Dad Ray (not much of a talker) just wiggled his coffee cup, and it was filled (unspoken love quietly delivered).

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, Levi and Blanche Tonnar, in-laws Earl and Bessie Fisher, husband Ray Fisher, sisters Betty, Barbara, and Glenna, daughter Patsy Washburn, son Bob Fisher, sons-in-law Joe Kuzmic and Gilbert Washburn, great-grandson Paxton Ray Fisher, great-granddaughter Aleah Grace Fisher, and many longtime friends.

Dorothy is survived by daughter Peggy Kuzmic, son and daughter-in-law Marvin and Kathy Fisher, daughter-in-law Karen Fisher, son and daughter-in-law Ray and Connie Fisher, 13 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren, and by her best friends and companions, cats Grizzly and Sally. 

Dorothy lived long and happily and in good health. 

She was greatly loved by all her family. Family and friends daily (or often) visited her. In her last years, The Coram Children (Fisher, Dorman, Picklesimer, others on occasion) stopped by for a visit and a piece of candy. They were always welcome. Nothing changed in 80 years …. “Well, hello … come in.”

A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Coram/West Glacier Fire Dept., P.O. Box 163, West Glacier, MT, 59936.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.