EAGLE BUTTE, SD – A beloved husband and patriarch of his immediate family, Andrew “Andy” Fischer, 92, passed away on October 9, 2024, after a brief encounter with cancer. He was surrounded by family at home resting in his own bed on the Fischer Ranch, south of Eagle Butte, SD.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 p.m. MDT, Friday, October 18, 2024, at All Saints Catholic Church, Eagle Butte. Burial will follow at the Eagle Butte Cemetery, with military honors. Wake service will be 7:00 p.m. MDT, Thursday, October 17, 2024, with visitation one hour prior.
Andrew “Andy” Fischer was born on May 24, 1932, to Casper and Katherine (Bosch) Fischer in Dupree, SD. Andy grew up on a homestead in the Eagle Butte area, with seven brothers and three sisters. He attended the Busy Bee School south of Eagle Butte and Eagle Butte high school until the 11th grade when he was supposed to give a speech in class and decided he had better things to do, so he quit school.
One of these better things was to work as a cowboy/ranch hand where he would help wrangle cattle, put up hay and any other requested job for several different people and outfits, including Art Anderson, Joe Geisinger, the Curtis Brothers, and even the famous Diamond A Cattle Company. He got to work with his brothers, Eddie, Jimmy, and Leo, and many friends including Everett Hunt.
In 1951, Andy and friend Avin Martin went to the Southwest, finding work in various places in Utah and Arizona including cotton fields and a uranium mine. During this time, they also went to work on the Vermejo in New Mexico, which at the time was the largest ranch in the U.S. at over a million acres. Times were hard and they oftentimes had little to no money and even had to steal peaches off a tree to get something to eat. When he came back to SD, he sported a fancy blue 1952 chevy convertible.
Andy enlisted in the Army during the Korean War, and he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After his time in service, he moved back home and started his second stint at the Diamond A, followed by a position on the Charley Petersen Ranch in LaPlant.
In about 1958, Andy was driving down main street in Eagle Butte in his green ‘58 Oldsmobile, when a young pretty lady named Joy Garrett caught his eye. He just had to get her attention, so he honked at her. At the same time, this little lady was impressed with his “pretty green car”, so she came over to talk to this handsome young man. And the rest, as they say, is history. Andy and Joy fell in love and were married in Pierre, SD on September 15, 1962. To this marriage they then welcomed a son Darren, born in 1963. Also in 1963, Andy, Joy, and young Darren moved down to an old house on the Cheyenne River, south of Eagle Butte, that was originally owned by the Diamond A Cattle Co. The house had no running water. There they worked for Joy’s father, Lee Garrett, on the Circle P Spring Ranch, where they were paid $125 monthly. In 1966 they welcomed their second child, Kevin. In the early 70’s, due to the creation of the Oahe reservoir and flooding risk, they built a new house on a side hill overlooking the river. Andy lived in this house the rest of his life. He continued to work for Lee until the mid-1970’s, when Andy then bought 50 head of cattle from his brother-in-law and started his own herd. In 1976 Andy and Joy had a little girl, Donna, who unfortunately passed shortly after birth. Two more boys were born to Andy and Joy, Tony in 1980, and Jason in 1984. Andy continued ranching, and then decided to start farming in the late 1980’s. Over the years, he raised many crops ranging from wheat, barley, oats, milo, and corn. He continued farming and ranching until he was over 80 years old.
From a young age, Andy liked having nice cars and was known for keeping them in meticulous condition. In addition to the cars that he once owned in the 50’s, he was especially fond of his 1979 Ford pickup, 1979 Chevy Silverado, and 1966 Chevy Impala. He also had a boat that the family really enjoyed. The boat originated from a trip to town in which he intended to buy a baler, but the baler was too expensive, so he bought the boat instead. Through the years, he, Joy and the kids would have fun going to dances, boating, getting together and partying with friends and family. He also liked to drive his cars fast and try to outrun the police. Sometimes he would succeed and sometimes he wouldn’t.
In addition to farm/ranch life, Andy loved hunting and fishing. Every season he would hunt deer and teach his sons and grandsons to hunt as well. One of his other favorite activities was going fishing with his brothers. There were many bets placed on which brother would out fish the other. He also loved taking his grandkids out to fish.
Andy was a fun-loving prankster who had a soft heart and would reach out and help anyone in need, whether it be family, friends, or strangers, and the strangers weren’t strangers for long. He even was honored by receiving a Lakota name, “Wawōkila Mani” meaning “Comes Helping as He Walks”. This name came about and was given to him from his many years spent tending to and taking care of the Dupris Cemetery located on the family place.
Andy is survived by Joy, his lovely wife of 62 years, their children, Darren (Kathy) of Eagle Butte, Kevin (Jodi) of Piedmont, Tony (Marie) of Rapid City, and Jason of Fort Pierre; grandchildren: Kellie, Korey, Tate, Garrett, Coy, Jakob and Emma; great grandchildren: Stetson, Logan, Macey, Dayten, and Carver; sibling, Leo (Lois) and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Casper and Katherine; daughter, Donna Sue; sisters, Agnes, Francine, and Kathleen; brothers: Willie, Jimmy, Eddie, Jack, Raymond, and Tony; and parents-in-law, Lee and Ruth Garrett.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to St. Jude or another charity of your preference, if so inclined.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Andy’s arrangements.

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