Stella May Fox

Stella M. Fox, 84, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, May 14, 2016 at Pioneer Pointe.

She was born August 3, 1931, in Logan County, ND, the daughter of Henry (Hank) and Pauline (Hildenbrand) Eissinger. She was baptized and confirmed in St. Lukes Lutheran Church in Wishek, ND.

After graduating from Wishek High School, she attended Valley City State College and later Moorhead State College where she attained a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and a Master of Science degree in elementary administration.

Stella started teaching in North Dakota where she met her future husband, Lyle Fox. They were married April 5, 1953, in Leal, ND, where they both taught.

Stella retired from her career in elementary education in 1986 after 27 years of teaching; 23 of those years in the Fergus Falls school system. She had the honor of being named the Fergus Falls Teacher of the Year in 1974 and also honored by the state of MN as one of 30 Teachers of Excellence. She was a member of the Fergus Falls Education Association and served on the salary committee. She was a life member of National Education Association.

She was an active member of the Federated Church where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, was moderator of Women’s Fellowship and a Unit member, on the Board of Deacons and Elders and various committees. She was a member of KenMore Book Club, Heart in the Country Quilters, Delta Kappa Gamma, Lake Region Hospital Auxiliary (volunteer for a few years), Otter Tail County Historical Society, Center for the Arts, and Birthday Club. She also served on the City of Fergus Falls Public Library Board and the Community College Board for several years.

Stella and Lyle wintered in Mesa, AZ for 11 years and traveled in 46 states via bus tours and on their own.

Preceding her in death were her husband Lyle, her parents and a brother, LeRoy Eissinger.

Survivors include her two sons: Terry (Diane) in Oakdale, and Tom (Kay) in Oronoco; three grandchildren, Amanda (Chris) Lacek, Vanessa and Chris (Amy) as well as her great-grandchildren, Landon and Bianca, children of Amanda and Chris. She is also survived by her sister, Delores Erbele, a brother, Jim (Mary) Eissinger and a sister-in-law, Ellie Eissinger.

Memorials are preferred to the United Way Backpack Program, your local food shelf or the Federated Church.

Visitation: 4-7:00 PM on Thursday, May 19, 2016, at Olson Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, with Reverend Dr. C. Edward Morgan officiating. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.
Service: 11:00 AM on Friday, May 20, 2016, at the Federated Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Doug Dent
Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls