Dolores Nadine (Wills) Fischli was born September 30, 1927 on the Wills farm one mile north of Logan, Kansas.
As an only child, she loved animals and made many of them her pets. When she started school, she cried because she wanted to stay home with her pets. Riding horses was her favorite pastime. In high school, writing and public speaking were her favorite subjects. Dolores became a member of Eastern Star of Logan, at an early age and remained a member the rest of her life.
She attended college in Denver, Colorado then transferred to Washburn College in Topeka, Kansas. Later, she transferred to the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas.
Dolores and Richard were married December 28, 1951 while Richard was in the Army. Upon his discharge, they farmed for one year. Since both were close to obtaining a college degree, they went to Fort Hays State University. After graduation, they went on to obtain their Masters’ Degrees.
Dolores chose theatre as she had taken specialty-theatre courses at K.U., such as Set Design and Stage Lighting and Directing. After obtaining their Masters’ Degrees, Dolores and Richard taught school in Burrton, Kansas for two years and Wichita, Kansas for three years, during which time Dolores attended a six week theatre workshop at Emporia State University where she, along with 29 other teachers put on five productions in a six-week time period.
In 1960, Dolores and Richard moved to California and in 1969, built their home in the Santa Monica Mountains. Dolores taught in two schools—Westchester High School and, her favorite, El Camino Real in Woodland Hills. Each school in the L.A. Unified School System had about 3,300 students. In addition to the theatre classes she taught each semester, she would direct one full length production and two full length Shakespearean productions. Her desire had been to direct a musical. Her wish came true as she and the music department developed a successful Theatre Arts Workshop.
Her last 10 years at El Camino Real were spent directing a full-length drama in the fall and spring in addition to a spring and summer musical. All musicals had at least 100 students and an accompanying orchestra of 30 to 40 students. Dolores enjoyed the accolades that came with theatre for a number of years. Her main memory was when Meredith Wilson came backstage. He will not only be remembered for his famous creation, The Music Man; also his great contribution to the musical theatre world. Dolores was humbled by his attention when he came to see her after the performance. Dolores taught 29 years and retired in 1984.
In April of 2010, Dolores and Richard built a new home and moved back to Logan, Kansas. They believed it was a good move and enjoyed their later years there together.
Having no family, Dolores and Richard started their Endowment program in 1997. Their Estate is pledged to Fort Hays State University of Hays, Kansas.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 21, 2018, in the Logan United Methodist Church, Logan, with Pastor Ted Stapleton officiating. Interment will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Logan.
Mrs. Fischli will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, in the Logan Funeral Home, Logan.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Logan Manor Nursing Home.
Logan Funeral Home, 102 E. Church Street, Logan, KS is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences: www.olliffboeve.com.
