Elmer E. Fisher, 88, of Wisconsin Dells, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2025 at Fairview Nursing and Rehab Facility in Mauston, Wisconsin. He will be missed by his family and friends whose lives he touched in many ways.

Elmer Ellison Fisher was born in Dell Prairie township in Adams County, Wisconsin on May 2, 1937, the youngest child of Ernest Stanley Fisher and Selma Irene (Ellison) Fisher. When Elmer was a young child, the family moved to Wisconsin Dells. Elmer attended the Wisconsin Dells school system and made life-long friends. Elmer enlisted in the Air Force and enjoyed sharing many stories of his military experience. Upon his discharge, he returned to Wisconsin Dells and attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

In 1962 Elmer began his career in law enforcement and was proud to serve his community as an officer for the Wisconsin Police Department. Elmer was promoted to Chief of Police in 1974. Elmer later attended the FBI National Training School. Elmer dedicated 25 years of service to the Department of Police in Wisconsin Dells and retired in 1987. In the summer of 1971, Elmer met Gayle Griesbach who was a seasonal employee working at the Greyhound Post House in Wisconsin Dells. They were married June 3, 1972 and spent 53 years together.

Elmer had many interests and hobbies and believed in staying active. He loved time spent in the outdoors and appreciated mother natures beauty. Other hobbies included reading biographies of American presidents and books on World War II history, traveling, hunting and completing New York Times crossword puzzles (his addiction). He spent the first two years, clearing the trees with his brother, Stan and son, JT to allow for a house site on a wooded property. Elmer resembled Grizzly Adams leaving town each morning on his 1948 Ford tractor.

Through the years, Elmer would take short road trips with friends in pursuit of sporting good stores and a particular restaurant which he felt had the best catfish around. He loved hunting season. He talked about deer hunting experiences in Wisconsin and turkey and pheasant hunting in South Dakota.

Elmer loved traveling. Upon Gayle's retirement, they took trips to many national parks, Florida Keys, NFL Hall of Fame (Canton, OH) and the baseball Hall of Fame (Cooperstown, NY) and the northwest coast. As much as he loved traveling, he was always ready to come home to the woods in Wisconsin Dells. He was grateful for peace and quiet and a place to listen to the wind blow and to walk through the trees.

Elmer is survived by his wife, Gayle; his sons, JT Fisher, Eric Fisher, Steven Fisher and Scott (Venissa) Fisher; his granddaughters Elizabeth Fisher, Jessa Fisher, Faune Fisher; sister-in-law Joyce Helt and brother-in-law Rodney Helt and many nieces and nephews. Elmer is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Ernest Stan Fisher, Chester Thomas Fisher; sisters Virginia Fisher Grieger, Geraldine Fisher Schank and Beverly Selma Fisher.

Elmer cared deeply for his family and friends. He would always say as he parted ways or they left after a visit -- "Give me two rings, so I know you got home safe". The family wishes to thank the medical staff at Mile Bluff Medical Center and especially the caregivers at Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the excellent and compassionate care provided Elmer.

At Elmer's request, there will be no funeral services. A Celebration of Life may be planned for a later date.