Joel G. Fischer, age 71, of Huron, passed away peacefully at home under hospice care, with his family by his side. His funeral service will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Huron. Entombment will follow at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation, with family present, will be on Thursday, January 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Welter Funeral Home, with a prayer service and time of sharing beginning at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the funeral service on Friday at the church.

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Huron's St Johns Hospital - 1954.

A baby boy was born to Ann and Elmer Fischer, and they named him Joel. He joined his older brother Jeff, and ten years later his sister Robin joined the family.

Joel worshiped at First Baptist Church with his family. He attended Huron Public Schools and graduated from Huron High School in 1972. He attended one year of college at the University of SD-Springfield and worked his entire life in Huron. He worked at Dakota Sash and Door, Chuck Porter Ford, Huron Napa Auto Parts, and 25 years at Prostrollo Motor Sales.

Joel's interest in cars began at an early age. He was known to stand on the front seat as his parents were driving and correctly identify the cars on the road. Elmer had no idea when he took Joel to his first car race at the age of seven, that Joel's passion for car racing was ignited. He was simply blown away! Joel visualized race cars and took to drawing them everywhere even on the church pledge cards.

In 1978 Joel raced his first car, a 1965 Chevelle, at the Dakota State Fair Speedway, and in 1996-97, he raced a 1979 Chevy Caprice. It was through the world of car racing that he developed many friendships. Because of the support and help of those dear friends, Joel earned the 1997 Track Championship in the Dakota Street Stock Division. He continued to show his support for local car racing by painting sponsorship signs for long-time Speedway promoter, Orville Chenoweth. Joel's interest in drag racing and car shows also developed some great friendships. To many of his car friends, he was simply called Fish.

In addition to car racing, Joel had a great nostalgia for music from the 60s and 70s. His all time favorite group was the Beach Boys, and he was fortunate to attend five of their live concerts. Discussions with Joel about Huron history, music, car racing, etc. revealed his uncanny ability to remember dates, names, places, and facts.

For Joel the best part of his life was being a big brother to Robin and an uncle to Heather and Logan. He loved helping Robin paint the annual Christmas scene on Anderson Furniture windows. He attended many of Heather's and Logan's activities from showing cattle and chickens at the SD State Fair, to racing flat track bikes, and participating in high school sports. It was an immense joy and pure fun being involved in their lives.

Grateful for having shared his life are his sister Robin (Jim) Zeisler, Renner, SD; his niece and nephew: Heather (Josh) Doran, Buena Vista, CO and Logan (Megan) Zeisler, Bennington, NE; his sister-in-law, Nancy Fischer, Lincoln, NE; his grandniece and grandnephew: Tinley Doran and Lars Zeisler; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jeff.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church and the Beadle County Humane Society.