Rollo James Fisher, 89, passed away on December 19, 2025.
He was born at home on July 14, 1936, three miles south of Charles City, Iowa, to Lee and Lillian Fisher. Rollo attended country school before graduating from Nashua High School in 1954. In 1959, he was united in marriage to Arlene Dralle at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Greene, Iowa. Together they built a life rooted in hard work, family, and friendship, and were blessed with four children. Rollo is survived by his wife, Arlene Fisher; his children Dianna MacGillivray (Colin), Donna Lawrence (Gary), and Darin Fisher (Jeni); and daughter-in-law Gail Zwanziger (Kevin). He was preceded in death by his Mother and Father Lee and Lillian Fisher, sister Dorothy Wells, and son David Fisher (1998). Rollo and Arlene were further blessed with 13 grandchildren: Samantha Short (Thom), Andrew Fisher (Emilie), Jason Fisher (Sydney), Rylan Zwanziger (Christie), Cortney Kreimeyer (James), Chandler Yokley (Trevor), Shania Schmidt, Zachary Lawrence, Lucas Lawrence, David Fisher, Connor Fisher, and Aubrey Fisher and 9 great-grandchildren, Dake Zwanziger, Nelson Zwanziger, Ainslee Zwanziger, Hattie Zwanziger, Gretchan Short, Elouise Short, Millie Yokley, Lennon Yokley, Colter Yokley, Lynnlee Fisher and Leo Fisher each of whom brought him great pride and joy.
Among his many other sports interests in high school, at 14 years old, Rollo began pitching fast-pitch softball for a farmer’s team in Powersville, Iowa. His talent and dedication to the sport lead to a reputation for being one of the best pitchers in the US in the late 60s and a career achievement of being inducted into the Iowa Fast Pitch Hall of Fame in 1991. Rollo worked for John Deere in Waterloo for 34 years as a welder, retiring at the age of 52. Always hardworking, he continued working post retirement Kwik Star, Pamida, and The Preserve on Rathbun Lake, enjoying the chance meet and enjoy new people, stay busy, and of course play more golf.
From 1999 to 2023, Rollo and Arlene were snowbirds, spending their winters in Weslaco, Texas. During those years, they enjoyed traveling to Progresso, Mexico with friends, enjoyed evenings of good food and laughter, and formed lifelong friendships that meant a great deal to them. Rollo looked forward to evenings with Arlene on their front porch visiting with friends or people passing by. He cherished golfing with his son, grandchildren, and many friends. Few things made him smile more than playing golf – especially The Albia Pro AM and Tuesday morning senior golf league. He also cherished keeping up with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, delighting in photos and videos and staying connected with family and friends through Facebook.
Rollo will be remembered for his deep love for his family, his warm and welcoming heart, and his ability to make friends no matter where he went. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visitation will be held at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia on Saturday, December 27, from 12:00–3:00 p.m., with a time of sharing led by Chris Black at 3:00 p.m., Rollo wished to be cremated and buried next to his son David in Nashua,
Iowa. This service will be performed at a later date. Memorials to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Wounded Warrior Project.
