Arthur E. Bishop, Jr., age 85, passed peacefully on March 21, 2025 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin.
Art was born on June 6, 1939 to his parents, Arthur Bishop, Sr. and Agnes (Monson) Bishop, in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. He grew up on a dairy farm with his three sisters and two brothers.
He graduated from St. Croix Falls High School in 1957 and continued his education, attending banking school at UW-Madison.
On March 10, 1961 he married his sweetheart, Dee (Carlson). They were blessed with two children, Candace and Kendall.
Art made his career at the First National Bank in St. Croix Falls, beginning as a teller and working his way up to bank president. He was very active in the community. He was a volunteer fire fighter and EMT for many years. He served on the St. Croix Valley Hospital Board, the Good Samaritan Board and the Polk County Fair Board. He also helped his dad do chores on the farm as often as he could. As a young adult, he attained his private pilot license and enjoyed flying whenever he could.
He enjoyed spending time with family. He enjoyed traveling, especially to the see the Teton Mountains in Wyoming and the beautiful landscapes of Arizona.
After his retirement, he and Dee became snow birds, wintering in Arizona and summering in Wisconsin. They built a permanent home in El Mirage, Arizona and lived there for over 20 years. In 2022 they moved back to Wisconsin, to an apartment in Woodstone Senior Living in Rice Lake, to be closer to family. He enjoyed watching Packer football, visiting with family and friends and keeping up on current events.
He is survived by his wife, Delores; his daughter, Candy (Pete) Bandli, and son, Kendall (Debbie) Bishop; he was Pake to his four grandsons, Billy (Anne) Bandli, Ben Bandli, Zach Bishop and Josh Bishop; great-grandson, Henry Bandli; sisters, Adelaide Peterson; Carol (Lowell) Carlson; brother, Allen (Dede) Bishop; sister-in-law Jean Bishop; and many nieces and nephews. He had two others that he thought of as daughters, Inka Dumay and Tina Walters. And his beloved cat, Archie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Art and Agnes Bishop; sister, Arlene (Kenny) Peterson; brother, Bob Bishop; parents-in-law, Lewis and Margaret Carlson; and brothers-in-law Leo (Mary) Carlson, and Larry Carlson.
We would like to thank our Woodstone Assisted Living family of caregivers for their loving care. Thanks also to Marshfield Hospice for their end-of-life care.
A Celebration of Life will be held for the family at a later date.
Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, Wisconsin is assisting and serving the family with the arrangements.
