Marilyn Jane Fisher peacefully joined Walt, the love of her life, on February 3, 2026, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s dementia. The last year of her life she received excellent, loving care from the staff at Resthaven Care Center and Maple Woods sites, and Hospice of Holland.
Born on January 18,1931 in Howell, Michigan to Cornell and Jeannette Dexter, Marilyn (known as Janie to family) grew up in the Fenton area. On September 11,1948, she married Walter Acton Fisher, and together they built a loving family and life filled with creativity and teaching.
While raising four children with Walt, Marilyn earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Western Michigan University and devoted herself to inspiring others through the arts. She taught everything from home economics and arts and crafts to history and even chemistry in the Plainwell, Rose City and West Ottawa Public Schools in the 1960s and 70s. Many former students still cherish the projects they created in her classroom and fondly remember her warmth and encouragement. She also opened a ceramic studio in her home, teaching classes to the community. After leaving Holland, Marilyn and Walt owned “The Sewing Basket,” a cherished fabric and sewing machine store in Coldwater, Michigan, specializing in quilting. There, and in many venues across the United States, she shared her passion for quilting. After Walt’s passing in 1992, Marilyn returned to Holland, where she continued to live independently, teaching quilting and for 25 years she hosted a quilting retreat at the Kettunen Center in northern Michigan.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Acton Fisher; her parents, Cornell and Jeannette Dexter; and her siblings Harold (Kitty) Dexter, Larry (Mary Nell) Dexter, and Diane (Sam) Jackson.
She is survived by her four children: Diana D’Emeraude, Leah (RT) Williams, Dawn Fisher, and Jim (Michelle) Fisher; her grandchildren Karsten Sethre, Caitlin Ryan, Nick McAndrew, Brennan Fisher, and Emily Fisher; great-grandchildren James and Charlie; her sister Connie (Harry) Thomas; nieces, nephews, cousins and many cherished friends and former students whose lives she touched.
Marilyn’s legacy is one of creativity, kindness, and quiet strength. She will be deeply missed and joyfully remembered.
There will be a celebration of life on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at the Holland Midtown Center, 96 W 15th St, Holland Michigan. Visitation with the family is from 2-3pm. There will be a brief service at 3pm followed by a light luncheon. After the luncheon, anyone may join the family for a short committal service at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers you may send donations in her name to:
Alzheimer’s Association
Hospice of Holland
West Michigan Quilter’s Guild
The Fisher family is being served by Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home.
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