Linda O. Fisher born as Linda Ann Owczarzak, age 72, of West Chicago IL, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2025 after bravely facing a long and challenging journey with Alzheimer’s. She was born on October 31, 1952 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Robert and Mary Jo Owczarzak. Linda was a proud graduate of Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a master’s degree in Horticulture . While at attending college, she developed lifelong friendships, and grew in her faith at MSU Bible Study. Upon graduation, she became a teacher in Michigan. Linda loved sharing her in-depth knowledge of plants with her students and made teaching her life. After moving to Illinois in 1989, she became a professor of life sciences at William Rainey Harper College and also for 18 years at College of DuPage. On August 17, 1996 she was united marriage to Jon R. Fisher at St Andrew Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids Michigan. Together they made their home in West Chicago. Linda was a founding longtime member of Glen Arbor Community Church in West Chicago. As part of her faith journey there, she participated in mission trips to Mexico and Nicaragua and enjoyed any opportunity to share the good news of her Christian faith. Gardening was a favorite hobby, which led her to become a member of the West Chicago Garden Club and the West Chicago Prairie Club. During the warmer months, she loved to spend hours tending to both her flower and vegetable gardens as well as listening to the Chicago Cubs games. She cherished her pet cats. Frogs and dragonflies were also favorites as well as anything that was purple. She was a proud alumnus of Michigan State and their biggest fan.
Linda is survived by her husband of 28 years, Jon Fisher; brother, David Owczarzak of Grand Rapids, MI; sister-in-law, Judy (Charles) Leska; sister-in-law, Rebecca Fisher; nieces, Ashley and Abby Fisher; nephew, Robert Fisher; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother-in-law, William E. Fisher.
A Memorial Visitation will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Glen Arbor Community Church, 204 Church St. West Chicago. A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will take place at 10:30 a.m. also at the Church. The church will provide a luncheon after the service. All are welcome to join in the meal.
For those unable to attend, the Memorial Service will be streamed on the Glen Arbor Community Church Facebook page.
Contributions in Linda’s Memory may be made to Glen Arbor Community Church (glenarbor.org), the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org), West Chicago Garden Club (westchicagogardenclub.org) or West Chicago Prairie Forest Preserve (dupageforest.org).
Linda’s ashes will be buried at a later date in Emberry Cemetery, Fithian IL.
For information 630-231-0060 or www.norrissegertfh.com
