Ora Fischer

Ora Fischer, age 103 of George, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society at George, Iowa.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 5th, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, IA.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, with Reverend Bryan Anderson officiating.  Burial will be in the Pleasentview Cemetery in Little Rock, IA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Tabernacle Baptist Missions Fund.

Ora Ellen DeBerg was born on April 19, 1923 to Helmer and Helen (Kruger) DeBerg on a farm northeast of Little Rock. She was the third born child to a family of nine children. Ora came to know the Lord at an early age through Evangelist Phil Ward at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, IA. The Bible verse, John 3:16 was instrumental in understanding how much God loved her, and by simply believing in Jesus alone she realized God’s wonderful plan of salvation and committed herself to serving Him.

Ora married Harm Fischer on January 28, 1947 northeast of George at the home of her parents. There were 65 people in attendance, and due to a snowstorm after the wedding, they ended up spending the three days of their honeymoon near Sibley at the home of her sister, Vera and John Mulder. They made their home on a farm in Lake Benton, MN where they crop-farmed, milked cows, and raised chickens. One of Ora’s jobs was to gather and take care of the eggs. They would milk the cows together, and like most hard-working farm women, Ora always had a couple baskets of eggs gathered before even thinking about making breakfast.

Harm and Ora always loved and enjoyed children. They graciously watched and cared for the children of many friends and families before being blessed by the adoption of 2-year-old Connie Rae in April of 1958.

While living in Lake Benton for 25 years, Harm and Ora were members of the Tyler Baptist Church of Tyler, MN. Ora taught class and played piano for Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was involved with Harm in many other ministries at the church.

In March of 1972, they had a farm sale and moved to George, IA. They became members of Tabernacle Baptist Church and got immediately involved. Ora started helping with the toddlers in Sunday School, and faithfully continued that ministry past 90 years of age! She was a part of the choir, Flower Committee, and the Music Committee for many, many years – lining-up the special music for the Sunday services. In addition, she was a very faithful prayer partner for the AWANA Cubbies.

Ora’s husband, Harm passed away on February 6, 1988, but her genuine love and care for others continued. She used her gift of hospitality to the fullest. She was known to put a meal in the oven before church, and then spontaneously invite a family or couple over for dinner when church was over. Many people were blessed over the years by her congeniality, sincere interest, and delicious food. Ora was full of humorous antics, and could always make you laugh. She enjoyed visiting people in their homes and was a perpetual visitor to those in the Nursing Home. With her contagious love for others and appreciation of the church, it’s no wonder she was often referred to as, “Tabernacle’s Cheerleader!”

Ora cleaned houses for a lot of people after moving to George, and eventually her sister, Joanne Vust joined her to paint and hang wallpaper for people in the area. They did that together for at least 30 years – spreading a lot of paint on the walls and a lot of cheer to each family they met.

Those left to cherish their memories of Ora are her granddaughter, Sarah Jurgensen of Oklahoma, City, OK and great grandchildren, Aaliyah and Brooklyn Gregory of Bixby, OK and Journey and Jaymison Johnson of Leland, NC. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Don Nita DeBerg of Sibley, and many nieces and nephews who were all very special to her.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Helmer & Helen DeBerg, her husband, Harm; Harm’s parents, William & Dena Fischer; her daughter, Connie Jurgensen Schmith and sons-in-law, Dave Jurgensen and Wesley Schmith; sisters and their husbands, Vera & John Mulder, Arlene & George Arends, Phyllis & Marvan Vanden Brink and Joanne & Louis Vust; brothers, Johnny, Leo, and James DeBerg; and brother and his wife, Alvin & Frances DeBerg.

After decades of visiting others at the Good Samaritan nursing home in George, Ora finally became a resident herself at the age of 98. During her time at the home she was always appreciative of, and selflessly concerned for the other residents and all who visited and cared for her. Just hours before passing on to Glory, she asked one of her care givers, “Do you know Jesus?”

Ora loved to sing and did a lot of singing with her sisters over the years. She was the master of harmony, and could add that strong, low-alto part to any song. Even at her 103rd birthday, although more feeble than before, she was singing harmony to all of the hymns. Ora’s life was one of grace, care, giving, and service. All those who knew, or came in contact with Ora during her life were certainly blessed. She undoubtedly lived up to the words of one of her favorite hymns, “Make Me a Blessing.”

Out in the highways and byways of life, Many are weary and sad;

Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, Making the sorrowing glad.

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.

Out of my life may Jesus shine; Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray. Make me a blessing to someone today.