Judith J. Fisher

She was raised on a farm northwest of Adair by a loving, Christian family and attended the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Adair. Upon graduation from Adair High School in 1957, she attended Iowa State University in Ames, IA, where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics in 1961. She married Richard Holtz soon thereafter, and lived in the Chicago area for several years while teaching in local high schools.

She moved to Ames, IA, in 1964 where she raised her three children and nurtured her family. Throughout her entire adult life Judy was a successful businesswoman. She was a leading professional color consultant in central Iowa, and was founder and president of her own business, Totally You, Inc. Her career covered more than twenty years in color, cosmetics, pattern design, and wardrobing. She maintained an active speaking schedule at colleges and universities, traveled nationally to give presentations, and produced a book in the field of fashion.

She was an active entrepreneur, which included her own private label line of cosmetics. She renovated a large home in Ames into a retail business named "Shoppes on Grande," where she had a dress and boutique shop of her own and leased space to other specialty businesses. In 1988 Judy was presented the "The Women Entrepreneur Award" by the Ames Chamber of Commerce. It was in this same year that Judy moved to San Antonio, TX.

In 1990 she married her high school sweetheart, John Fisher of San Antonio. They were blessed to have 17 years together. She worked for Dillard's and Foleys prior to becoming the general manager for SOS Technologies where she worked for 12 years until her retirement in 2004.

Judy was an active member of the North S.A. Chamber of Commerce where she served as an "ambassador", a member of the Small Business Council; and as chairperson of the Breakfast Networking Committee. In addition, she was a member of the San Antonio Rotary Club and the Alamo Executive Club. Judy was also active in her church, the Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, where she served on the Altar Guild Society and as the Secretary to the Executive Council.

In 2002 she was diagnosed with ALS Lou Gehrig's disease. Although this was a setback, she managed to maintain a positive attitude and outlook on life, which contributed to her longevity with the disease. Her approach to living with ALS was to live one day at a time, and enjoy life to the fullest during every second of every minute of every day. She was an inspiration to others throughout her illness.

The family would like to thank the ALS Association for their unending support and dedication to finding a cure for ALS. Also, we would like to thank her caregivers and VistaCare hospice for their wonderful and loving care to our wife and mother. Also, a thank you to our family and friends who posted notes on The Caring Bridge website as we updated the status of Judy's health. A special thanks to the Stephen Ministry, especially Donna and Hayden Stewart, for their love, understanding, and ministry throughout her illness.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, John, three children: Timothy Holtz and his partner Irina of Atlanta, GA, Teri and her husband Mark Young of Hudson, WI, Tracy and her husband Daron Rock of Universal City, TX, a stepson, John Fisher and his wife Rosanne of Cibolo, TX, a brother, John Vokt and his wife Rita of Indianapolis, IN, four grandchildren: Tyler and Tobie Fisher, Tommy Rock, and Nikita Holtz, as well as two nieces and many cousins.

Memorials can be sent to the ALS Association of South Texas, Creekview Garden Offices, 8600 Wurzbach Rd., #700, San Antonio, TX 78240 and/or Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, 14700 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78232.