Clarence J. Fischer, age 92, of Bismarck, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 27, 2026, surrounded by family at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM, Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the Church of Corpus Christi, 1919 N 2nd St, Bismarck. Visitation will also take place one hour prior to the Mass at the church. To view the Mass, please click on the link provided ~ Clarence Fischer

Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM, on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck, where a rosary led by the Knights of Columbus will begin at 7 PM, followed by a vigil service.

Clarence Joseph Fischer was born on March 18, 1934, on the family farm to Wendelin and Tillie (Jahner) Fischer. He grew up in the Strasburg, ND area, and completed his elementary education in a small country school and high school at St. Benedict in Strasburg. He attended college at Assumption Abbey, after which he taught country school for 2 years. In 1955 he enrolled in the military, serving in the United States Army with 2 years of active duty at Fort Benning, Georgia, returning to Bismarck in September 1957. Clarence met the love of his life, Helen Marie Bares, in 1957, and they were wed on October 6, 1958, in Beach, ND. They were married for 54 years before his beloved wife passed away on Christmas Day in 2012. They lived in Bismarck all their married life and raised 4 of the MOST AMAZING children. (Our dad said we could say this…).

Clarence and Helen shared their strong faith and work ethic with their children. They also instilled the philosophy of living life to the fullest. Every summer, the family station wagon was packed and ready for another adventure of visiting friends and family and tourist destinations across the Country.

Clarence worked at the North Dakota Department of Transportation for over 34 years as the Director of the Driver’s License Division, and as Director of the Human Resources Division. In 1992, he started a remarkable 34 years of retirement. He and Helen enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, and countless hours with involvement in his church community, service organizations, and boards.

He had a strong faith and love of God. He was a charter member of the Church of Corpus Christi and active in various ministries including as an usher and Eucharistic Minister. He was also a member of the Bismarck-Mandan Serra Club for 34 years.

Clarence had a heart for service and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus for 72 years, having served as an officer or chairman for 50 of those years. He served as the State Deputy, Vice Supreme Master, and had the ultimate honor of serving on the Supreme level as Supreme Warden. He spent 10 years serving as the Father Michael McGivney Guild Chairman promoting Father McGivney’s cause for Sainthood and was influential in starting and mentoring a Knights of Columbus council at the University of Mary. His desire to stay active as a Knight was due to his belief that in some small way, he could make a difference serving this Catholic, family-focused fraternal service organization.

Clarence was a member of the Amvets, Loyal Order of the Moose (34 years), and Fraternal Order of Eagles (69 years). He served 15 years on the Board of Directors for Home on the Range and has been a continuous supporter of St. Mary’s Central High School and the University of Mary Presidents Club.

Clarence is survived by his children, Teresa Taylor, Mary Almer (Joe), Michael Fischer (Laurie) and Clarice Mark (Trent); nine grandchildren, Ashley Barrett (Derek), Kristin DeWitt (Nathan), Darren Feist (Dulijeta), Alec Fischer, Madeline Fischer (Zach Kordosky), Charles Fischer (Bailie Roberts), Abby Althoff (Ben), Jonathan Mark (Brittany) and Adam Mark (Sophia Klindt); 12 great-grandchildren, Angel, Deven (Emily), Kaley, Aden, Job, Vayda, Lyla, Gavin, Olive, Maverick, August, Oscar, Callan, and “honorary” great-grandchild Stephanie; four great-great-grandchildren, Elaina, Kaleia, Jaxson, Sutter, and “one on the way”; two brothers, Aloys Fischer (Cyndy) and Tom Fischer; sister, Rose Mathern; in-laws, Marlene Bares, Marguerite Emter, Kathleen Goroski (Gerald), Delbert Schulte (Sherry), Leroy Bares (Marina), Ervin Ripplinger, Thomas Bares (Donna) and Teresa Klippen (Wesley); many nieces and nephews; and many wonderful friends, including special friend Shirley Bachmeier.

Clarence was preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen; parents, Wendelin and Tillie Fischer; brother, Pius Fischer; parents-in-law, Frank and Marcella Bares; sisters-in-law, Virgina Bares, Jean Schulte and Janet Ripplinger; and brothers-in-law, Matt Mathern, Robert Bares, Irvin Bares, Dan Skorheim, and Ervin Emter.

Memorials are preferred to the Knights of Columbus Foundation, and Home on the Range.