Jo Ann Fisher
Jo Ann (Tenney) Fisher, 72, unexpectedly passed away May 9, 2025, at her home in The Dalles, Oregon with her husband Rusty by her side.
Jo Ann was born on May 30, 1952, in Hood River, Oregon to Joe William Tenney and Ethel Mae Tenney. She is survived by her husband R. Rust (Rusty) Fisher of The Dalles, her brother Mike Tenney of Monmouth, Oregon (Val), sister Barb Hosford (Mitch) of Hood River, Oregon stepbrothers: Bob Walden (Connie), Bill Walden, Greg Walden (Mylene), and Anthony Walden, Marta Simons and Hannah Simons. Pet survivors include canine companions, Hanz and Fritz. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lewis Wixon.
Jo Ann spent much of her life working in Hawaii and Alaska before returning to The Dalles in the late 1990s. For 11 years she managed a store in Mililani, Hawaii before moving to Anchorage, Alaska where for 17 years she worked for the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority in real estate and finance. When she moved back to The Dalles, she went to work for Columbia River Bank, and for many years led Jazzercize classes at the Civic Center.
Jo Ann attended elementary, junior high and high school in The Dalles and graduated from Puyallup High School in Puyallup, Washington in 1970. She attended Pacific Lutheran University.
Growing up she was a competitive swim team athlete, perfecting the individual medley, breaststroke, and freestyle races, achieving state records in La Grande, Oregon. She was a cheerleader and participated in The Dalles Booster Club and loved mountain skiing, sang in small and large groups, and played instruments in the band, such as glockenspiel, clarinet and bass clarinet.
In retirement, she stayed very active riding bikes, playing the ukulele with friends and family, jazzercising, sewing quilts and with her amazing crafting projects. She gave back to the community with service on The Dalles Planning Commission and as a volunteer and treasurer with the Habitat for Humanity. She also helped with the Holiday Festival of Trees.
She and Rusty celebrated nine years of marriage in April. They created a beautiful life together. They enjoyed traveling and spending time at their cabin in Wrightwood, California.
A private, family burial is planned for next month at Idlewilde Cemetery in Hood River. Her wish was that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 378 The Dalles, or online at https://columbiagorgehabitat.org/giving-to-habitat
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home in care of arrangements