Jean Eleanore Bishop, 84, passed away on April 19, 2018 at Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Special Care Center. A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at McLaren’s Chapel with burial at Resthaven Cemetery. A visitation with the family will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 23, 2018 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines.
Jean was born March 21, 1934 in Hibbing, Minnesota to Raymond and Elma (Manilla) Maki. During her early childhood she spoke both Finnish and English. At age 5, the family moved to Chicago. Jean graduated from Lake View High School, Chicago, Illinois. She went on to attend classes at Wright Junior College, where she met her future husband, Ronald Bishop.
On May 8, 1954 Jean and Ronald were united in marriage at Christ Lutheran Church in Chicago. They were blessed with 64 wonderful years together. Jean had lovely blue eyes and a great smile. She was very friendly and well liked by all who met her. Jean dedicated her life to being an amazing mother and homemaker to her family. Together they raised three children in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. In 1980 they moved to Clive, Iowa where they lived for 38 years.
Jean was an accomplished artist and in grammar school won a city wide drawing contest. She received art classes at the Art Institute of Chicago. She continued to oil and water paint her entire life.
Jean was very active in Des Moines. She volunteered as a docent at the Governors Mansion for many years and worked part time at Valley West Mall. She especially enjoyed her water exercise class at the West Des Moines YMCA, where she was a twenty-year member. She enjoyed hobbies of gardening (always had beautiful pots and gardens of flowers). She was an excellent cook and loved entertaining. Jean and Ron also enjoyed traveling, often to visit family and friends.
Jean will be greatly missed by her husband, Ron; children, Deborah (Brian) Hiserote of Georgetown, TX, Norman Bishop of Ironwood, MI, and Kenneth (Georgia) Bishop of Omaha, NE; four grandchildren, David (Melissa) Hiserote of Pflugerville, TX, Kristin (Basye V) Hibbett of Lady’s Island, SC, Nathaniel Bishop of Idaho Springs, CO, and Quentin Bishop of Omaha, NE; four great grandchildren, Tyler and Ella Hiserote of Pflugerville, TX, Basye VI and Caroline Hibbett of Lady’s Island, SC; and, brother, Harold Maki of Delray Beach, FL; along with other loving family members.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.
