North Powder, Oregon
Shirley “Rusty” Fisher, 63, of Pendleton and a former North Powder resident, died Wednesday, March 12, 2003, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Walla Walla of cancer.
A memorial service was held for Rusty at the Vert on Monday, March 17, at 3 p.m. with concluding services and internment at the Olney cemetery. A “celebration of life” will be held at the Let’er Buck room beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Rusty was born May 28, 1939, at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence “Newt” W. Barleen. She grew up in Klamath Falls and graduated from Klamath Union High School, in 1957. She married Lloyd K. Fisher on July 13, 1957, and lived in the North Powder area.
They had two boys one girl. Then moved to Hermiston. She has lived in Pendleton for 20 years. Rusty was a very friendly person. She had a great sense of humor and loved practical jokes. She enjoyed helping others and was a very liberal democrat. She had many hobbies and interests including Civil War History, Oregon Trail History, writing poetry, travel, sewing, collecting Scotty Terrier items and dancing.
Rusty was the Management Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent of the Eastern Oregon Hospital and Training Center from 1982- 1984. She was the Management Assistant to the Superintendent of the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution from 1984 to 1991. Then Rusty was the Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools in Pendleton from 1991 until she retired in 2001.
Rusty was very involved in volunteer work, which includes the following: American Cancer Society, E.O.C.I. Suggestion Awards Program, United Way, (1990 Board Member Of The Year), Hoolie Fund-raiser (she helped start the Hoolie), Secretary to Governor’s Task Force that studied and recommended the siting of EOCI in Pendleton, D.A.R.E. Wagon Train, a 2001 Crystal Apple Recipient and was honored by E.O.A.F. Women’s Transition House named “Rusty’s House” in her honor.
She is survived by her mother Ada Barleen, Pendleton; brother, Larry Barleen, Stockton, Calif.; daughter and son-in-law Tammy and Doug Campbell of Hermiston, sons and daughters-in-law, Kent and Val Fisher, Pendleton,and Butch and Marla Fisher of Fairview; grandchildren, Autumn and Jason Pease, Finley, Wash., Zane Fisher, Karson Fisher, Nici Marks, all of Pendleton, Kodee Wagner-Campbell and Heather Campbell of Hermiston, Kristofer Fisher, Lindsey Fisher and Tiffany Fisher of Fairview; great-grandchildren, TJ Marks and Gwen Marks, special friend, Joe Yocom of Lexington; adopted family, Marie and Leland Jones, Millie West, Debbie Jones, Jack and Renae Yocom; special adopted grandchildren, Olivia West, Joe West, Jane Jones, Brenda Jones, Nicole Jones, Travis Jones, Heather Yocom, Justin Yocom, and Zachary Yocom.
Memorial contributions may be made to Eastern Oregon Alcohol Foundation or Pendleton School District Outdoor School.
Burns Mortuary of Pendleton is in charge of arrangements.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, April, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor