Sara Jane Fishel

July 26, 1933 - December 6, 2020

Sara Jane (Bouslog) Fishel, 87, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, December 6, 2020, at her home in Marion. A public Celebration of Life Gathering will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2021, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at 4613 Indian Creek Rd. in Marion, where a light supper will be served. Sara was born July 26, 1933, in South English, Iowa, the daughter of Paul D. Bouslog and Mary Moore Bouslog. She attended country school through fifth grade and sixth through twelfth at Kinross Consolidated School, graduating as valedictorian. Sara played girls basketball, was active in 4-H and participated in 4-H Leadership Seminars. She attended the University of Iowa, graduating with honors, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. While attending college, Sara met and married Merle D. Fishel on March 15, 1952, eloping to Missouri. Merle was an attorney in Cedar Rapids and Marion, Iowa for 41 years. Sara Fishel was employed by St. Luke’s Hospital for 42 years. She was Director of the Practical School of Nursing, Associate Director of the Registered Nursing School, and Manager of Scheduling and Registration Services. Sara worked to bring support in many different forms to those who needed it the most. She volunteered at the Community Free Health Clinic and helped start the pharmacy program. Sara helped with the fundraising campaign for Milestones of Marion. She was a board member for the Heritage Area Agency on Aging, volunteered at the Marion Food Pantry, played a leadership role at the Marion Library and for the development of Lowe Park. She served on advisory boards at Linn County Social Services and United Way of East Central Iowa. Sara was appointed by the Governor, and served 2 terms on the Board of Nursing, serving as Chairwoman. She served on the Lutheran Family Services board and on committees for the U.S. Service Academy, Marion/Cedar Rapids High Schools and Kirkwood Community College. Sara was an organizer and someone who always got things done. Sara also received many honors including the YWCA/Waypoint’s Women in Industry Tribute, Marion Chamber of Commerce Winner’s Circle, and board member for the Quota Club and PEO Chapter KJ. She enjoyed playing Bridge, Mah-Jong, reading, cross stitching, gardening, and watching sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. Sara loved to cook and entertain at her farm house. She will be remembered for her good food and excellent company. Sara was always organized, a notorious list-maker, hard-working and passionate about people and life. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Sara is survived by three sons and one daughter, Mark (Margo) Fishel, Matthew (Sharon) Fishel, Amy (Randy) Olson, and M. Daniel Fishel; grandchildren, Adam (Annette) Gregorich, Kirk Fishel, Chad Fishel, Andrew Olson, Rachel Olson, McKenna Fishel, Mason Fishel, and Myles Fishel; an unofficial grandson, Zach Carlson; great-grandchildren, Alex and Aurora Gregorich; one sister, Rosemary (Roger) Lyon; one brother, Bill Bouslog; one sister-in-law, Joan Bouslog; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merle; brothers, David (Ruth) Bouslog and John Bouslog; and grandson, Michael Fishel. Memorials in Sara’s memory may be directed to the Community Health Free Clinic at 947 14th Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52401; to the Marion Library at 1064 7th Avenue in Marion, Iowa, 52302; or to Lowe Park, attention to Marion Parks and Recreation at 4500 10th Street in Marion, Iowa, 52302.