The Reverend Hollis Bishop passed away peacefully on Monday, March 8th, 2021 at the age of 81. Hollis had a brief battle with cancer but spent his final weeks pain free and comfortable, enjoying many conversations with beloved friends and family members.
Hollis Bishop was born on September 20th, 1939 in Bigfork, MN. The son of Jesse and Mildred (Wright) Bishop, he was the youngest of five siblings.
Hollis spent most of his youth in Bigfork, prior to moving to the Minneapolis area and graduating from Edison High School. It was during his high school years that Hollis was baptized into the body of Christ, on Christmas Eve. Throughout his life, Hollis considered his baptism to be a 2nd birthday. Following high school, Hollis earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and enlisted in the United States Army, serving in Korea in the early 1960’s.
On August 7th, 1965 Hollis married Jane Richter at Christ English Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Hollis and Jane lived in the Twin Cities while he completed studies at Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary. He was ordained a Minister of the Lutheran Church in America on June 14th, 1970.
Hollis served many congregations over the course of his life as he, Jane, and their children moved throughout the Midwest. Between 1970 and his retirement in 2001, Reverend Bishop lived out his calling to make the love of God and salvation through Jesus known to others as he faithfully served seven different congregations. Upon his “retirement”, he and Jane moved to Long Prairie, MN where he continued his ministry and service through his work at many area churches.
Hollis loved talking with anyone about anything, telling stories, laughing, making new friends, and helping others with his abounding generosity. He thoroughly enjoyed the years he spent teaching college courses and GED classes, earning his Master’s Degree, writing, and volunteering for the many organizations he supported. Hollis loved his family and friends dearly and was an incredibly caring husband, father and grandfather. He truly appreciated the love and generosity of others and in his final weeks was especially appreciative of the many wonderful conversations he had with loved ones.
Hollis was preceded in death by his parents Jesse and Mildred Bishop, Brother Jesse Lyle Bishop, and Daughters Sara, Elizabeth, and Andrea Bishop.
Hollis is survived by his wife Jane Bishop, son and daughter in law: Dave and Amber Bishop, grandchildren: Bennett, Millie, and Maggie Bishop and PJ, Katie, and Annie Svendsen, great-grandson: James Ryan Fox, brothers: Don Bishop and Ron Bishop, sister: Jean Hamlin, extended family: Lou and Mary Svendsen, and many other family members and dear friends.
A memorial service is being planned for May 21st, 2021 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Upsala, MN. This posting will be updated with details as they become available.
Cards or other communications meant for Jane Bishop or the family of Reverend Bishop can be sent to The Bishop Family at 2220 Warm Springs Ct. Green Bay, WI, 54311.
In lieu of flowers, a fund has been created in Reverend Bishop’s honor to provide support for youth programming to some of the churches he served. If you wish to support this effort, memorial contributions can be made using the PayPal user name @hollisbishopfund. If you wish to contribute via check, please contact Dave Bishop at the address listed above.
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