Marilee Rose Fischer, age 88, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026, at The Manor at Elfindale. Marilee loved her home and swimming pool, where countless cherished memories were created with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It was a blessing that she was able to remain in the home she loved until her final weeks.

Marilee was born on January 31, 1938, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Thomas and Icel (Williams) Pope. She was the middle of five children and graduated from Rich Hill High School in 1956. While in high school, she began dating Ronnie Fischer of Rockville, Missouri. After graduation, they both moved to Kansas City to begin building their future together.

Marilee loved to sew and create her own designs and patterns. She dreamed of becoming a fashion designer but decided she did not want to move to New York City to pursue that path. Instead, she designed and sewed her own wedding dress before marrying her high school sweetheart on May 21, 1960. Ronnie and Marilee began their married life in a little pink house in the Ruskin area of Kansas City, where they welcomed their two children, Ronda and Bret.

Marilee worked in the payroll department at Hallmark Cards until she was six months pregnant, when she left to prepare for her role as a homemaker. While she was a devoted wife and mother, she was also an entrepreneur at heart. After the family moved to Mt. Vernon, Illinois, in 1968, Marilee began a sales career with Bestline Products. She immersed herself in personal development, listening to motivational recordings and attending sales training programs. Her hard work led to remarkable success, including incentive trips to Spain and Jamaica. Inspired by her passion for health and wellness, she later owned and operated a health food store before the family moved to Springfield, Missouri, in 1978.

Marilee’s entrepreneurial spirit, combined with her lifelong love of sewing, led her to build a highly successful upholstery business from her home. For many years, she restored furniture and automobile interiors for customers throughout southwest Missouri. She was also a gifted crafter who could transform an idea—or something she spotted in a store—into a unique creation. Family and friends treasured the many handcrafted gifts, decorations, and humorous projects she shared throughout her life.

Marilee was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ronnie Fischer.

She is survived by her daughter, Ronda (Wes); her son, Bret (Jeff); her grandchildren, Lesley (Eric), Kevin (Katie), Drew (Chris), Grant (Katie), and Chad; her great-grandchildren, Henry, Brian, Miles, Hazel, and Hudson; her siblings, Norma and Russell (Waneta); her sister-in-law, Karen; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Marilee loved the swimming pool that she and Ronnie built in celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary. It is easy to imagine that, as she entered eternal life, she put on her pink bikini, polished her nails to match, and joined Ronnie by the pool to enjoy another sunny afternoon together.

A private service for immediate family will be held at the Redeemer Lutheran Church Columbarium, where Marilee will be laid to rest alongside Ronnie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in honor of Marilee.