Delbert L. Bishop Jr

GRANT, NE. - Delbert Lee Bishop Jr., 84, of Big Springs, passed away on March 16, 2025, at St. Francis Hospital in Colorado Springs, surrounded by his family.

Del was born Dec. 25, 1940, in Big Springs, NE, to Delbert R. and Willa B. (Douglas) Bishop. He was raised on the family farm southeast of Big Springs. He attended country school through the 8th grade and later graduated from Big Springs High School with the class of 1958.

On March 5, 1963, Del married his high school sweetheart, Lois Abts. Del wanted two children but Lois wanted four, so they compromised and had four - Cori, Doug, Steve, and Tim. Del and Lois delighted in raising their children together on the Bishop family farm. He lived there for over 80 years, farming the same lands as his father before him and it continues to be farmed by third and fourth generations. Del loved two things: his family and his farm. He was known to be up early, working the fields all day until the sun went down. In addition to farming, Del and Lois enjoyed many years in the Amway business where they traveled and made lifelong friends. Del was an active community member, serving on the Perkins County School Board for a number of years.

Lois preceded Del in death in 1990, after a seven-year battle with cancer. Del showed what true and unconditional love was as he cared for her and stood by her side until the end.

In 1996, Del married Diane Rule (Denver), in the Snowy Range Mountains of Wyoming. They spent many years together, enjoying life on the farm, traveling, and spending time in their mountain home in Wyoming. They also spent time at their vacation home in Brownsville, Texas. They had many friends in both places as well as here locally.

Accompanying his passion for farming, Del was thrilled by speed and horsepower, participating in drag racing, taking joy rides in fast cars, and watching tractor pulls. Always heard on Del's radio were the velvet voices of Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves, and Johnny Cash.... who he had the pleasure of seeing live in Imperial. Del also had a known proclivity for cherry bombs and M80s. He relished the opportunity to go fly fishing, a hobby he learned at the age of 10, when his Dad took him to the Snowy Range for the first time. He appreciated the simple things in life, like a good burger. He frequently said, "It's pretty hard to mess up a burger"! He especially enjoyed one followed by vanilla ice cream, even more when it could be shared with the people he loved.

Del didn't know a stranger. He welcomed everyone he met with a beautiful smile and a friendly greeting. He carried himself tall and dressed sharply. He was invariably attentive to his appearance even though he was both unassuming and unpretentious. His secret? Always having a comb in his back pocket. He was a true gentleman, opening the doors for others and always opening the door for his wife.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Delbert and Willa Bishop; his wife Lois; his brothers, Bob and Donna Bishop; his sisters, Katherine and Don Springer; his brothers-in-law, Alfred Abts, Chris Hartsuiker, and Dwight Baker.

Carrying on his legacy are his children: Cori and her husband Terry Sis and their children Kelan Sis, Jyll and her husband Travis Hansen and their children Jackson, Lauryn and Colten. Cameron and his wife Katie Sis and their son Theo. Doug and his wife Jennifer Bishop and their children Maggie, Elisabeth, Victoria and Jake. Steve and his wife Jackie Bishop.

Tim and his wife Kimberly Bishop, and their children Hannah and Emelyn.

He leaves behind his wife, Diane, his sister, Esther Hartsuiker, two sisters-in-law Helen Baker and Pat Abts, along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025, at the Grant Evangelical Free Church, with Pastor Russ Gaar officiating. A private burial has been held at the Fairview Cemetery in Grant.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Del's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live.

Bullock Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.