Mary Fisher

Mary Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Fisher, 74, died Saturday, December 30th, 2023 at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, KS. Born April 1st, 1949 to Salvador and Mabel Montiel in Oaklawn, Illinois, she spent her childhood in the suburbs of Chicago. Liz graduated from Proviso West High School.

In 1967, Liz moved to Wichita where she worked in encyclopedia sales. Through her work, she met her first husband, Carl Jerome Knoblauch and they married in 1969. Carl and Liz had two children, Drew Lynn Knoblauch and Meredith Rae Knoblauch, before separating in 1977.

Through her love of Italian cars, Liz met her second husband, Jim Clayton Fisher. In 1982, they married and they had her second son, Derek Clayton Fisher, in 1984. As a blended family, Liz raised her children in the North Riverside neighborhood of Wichita.

Completing a lifelong dream, Liz graduated Wichita State University with a Bachelor of General Studies, Magna Cum Laude, from the Fairmont College of Liberal Arts and Sciences accompanied by a certificate in Film Studies. Liz also had a GIA certification in diamonds, as well as a diploma from the Kansas Institute for Medical Assistance.

Liz would go on to spend a bulk of her professional career as a Para Educator. In 2015, Liz retired after working 16 years at L’Ouverture Elementary.

In retirement, Liz spent most of her time with her family, Jax the Border Collie, and her beloved Maserati, Donatello. Until her passing, her passions in life were gemology, Italian cars, and volunteering with Jax, who she had trained as a certified therapy dog. Liz and Jax worked with Love on a Leash (Loveonaleash.org) and Hapi Pet Therapy (hapipettherapy.org).

Liz was preceded in death by her parents Salvador Montiel and Mabel Montiel; her sister Mary Ellen Montiel; her first husband Carl Jerome Knoblauch; and her first son Drew Lynn Knoblauch.

Liz is survived by her husband Jim Clayton Fisher; her daughter Meredith Rae Gullic; her son Derek Clayton Fisher; her four grandchildren Jordan Gullic, Austin Gullic, Alexis Gullic, and Jade Gullic; and her three siblings Theresa Lambringer, John Montiel, and Thomas Montiel.

A celebration of life for Liz will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org), a cause she felt strongly about.