Mavis A. Bishop, 90

Published 10:59 am Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Mavis A. Bishop, 90, of Austin, Minn., died Friday, March 14, 2015, at her home.

Bishop

Mavis was the youngest of nine children born on Feb. 7, 1924, to Anker and Annie Christofferson. She graduated from Blooming Prairie High School. In 1942, she married Bernardo (Jim) Bishop. After the war, they moved to Austin and Mavis started working for Hormel in the dairy pack. She was proud of her work at the plant and made many close friends there that lasted her lifetime. Many of these friends she continued to lunch with after retirement. Though very afraid of water, Mavis enjoyed boating on Sunday afternoons with Jim, Charlene, Bernard, and Sandra. You wouldn’t catch her without her personal life vest and a wide straw hat.

She loved gardening with Jim, after moving to a small acreage outside of Austin. They would share bushels of tomatoes with friends and family after filling every jar she owned. Her rose garden was her pride and joy.

Shortly after her retirement, Jim had a stroke. Mavis cared for him for more than 20 years. They enjoyed camping at Beaver trails every weekend and continued to travel to Arizona. She was always game for a road trip to visit a grandchild and even got her first passport at age 88, so she could attend her grandson’s wedding in Mexico.

St Olaf was her church home. Wednesday suppers and after church coffee hour were times when she could visit with her close friends. Helping make lefse was the highlight of her year. She also crocheted afghans like a production line until her shoulder got sore. Her lighthouse collection was amazing. Mavis had many interests and enjoyed life. Mavis will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bernardo ‘Jim,’ daughter Sandra, grandson, Dan Donhowe, four brothers and four sisters.

Mavis is survived by her daughter: Charlene Donhowe, of Sun City, Ariz.; son and daughter-in-law:  Bernard and Vernice Bishop, of Austin; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Shirley Kent, of Iowa; Jean Chipp, of Iowa; brother-in-law: Ronald Bishop, of Iowa; many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2014, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Todd Portinga, AiM officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday from 9:30 to 11 a.m.. Memorials may be directed to the St. Olaf Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.