Genevieve Leona (Wendt - Conner) Bishop

Genevieve “Gen” Leona Wendt Conner Bishop, the daughter of Fred and Sophia (Grulke) Wendt, was born August 25, 1923, at her parents’ home on a farm near Walnut, Iowa and died February 9, 2020, at the Greenwood Terrace Retirement Community in Lenexa, Kansas at the age of 96 years, 5 months, and 14 days.

Gen grew up in Audubon County where she attended rural Audubon County schools. While in school, she was a member of 4-H, and in 1939, was an official 4-H delegate. She took Normal Training and then graduated from the Exira High School with the Class of 1942. Gen taught in a one-room country school for a short time and taught summer school in Atlantic, Iowa. During this time, she also took classes at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

On November 10, 1946, Gen was united in marriage to Morris L. Conner at the Ross Evangelical United Brethren Church in Ross, Iowa. Gen taught 3rd grade at the Viola Consolidated School. Morris died on July 10, 1955. Gen moved to Des Moines, where she studied and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Drake University.

On June 4, 1957, Gen was married to Jesse W. Bishop at the Glen Echo Christian Church in Des Moines by Pastor C.S. Linkletter, and together with his children, they made a family. Gen continued to teach elementary school in many of the Des Moines area schools: Clover Hills-Fair Meadows, Nash, and Studebaker. Gen’s youngest sister, Winifred Wendt Murray, developed cancer, and Genevieve and Jesse cared for her for many years in West Des Moines until she died. They continued to raise Winifred’s daughter, Rocheen, as part of their family.

Jesse was the Regional Director for the Federal Crop Insurance (USDA). Due to his position, the family moved first to Illinois and later to California. During this time, Gen continued teaching. Finally, in 1978, they were relocated to Shawnee, Kansas. They enjoyed many good years. Jesse died January 3, 2000. Gen continued her numerous church and charity services, including volunteering to deliver Meals on Wheels. Gen lived in her own home until January of 2016, when she moved to the Greenwood Terrace Retirement Community in Lenexa, Kansas.

Gen had been a member of the Ross Evangelical United Brethren Church in Ross, Iowa while growing up. Later, she became a member of the First Christian Church while living in Des Moines and then had been a member of the Shawnee Park Christian Church. Gen enjoyed traveling, reading, sewing, crocheting, and discussing politics and current events. She loved music and art and attending plays and musicals.

Preceding her in death were her husbands, Morris L. Conner and Jesse W. Bishop; her step-son, Malcolm and wife Janet Bishop; her parents; an infant brother, Marvin Wendt; her sisters: Evelyn and husband Arch Tessman, Alma and husband Earl Tessman, and Winifred and husband Rod Murray; and her brothers, Wilbur and wife Lorraine Wendt and Everett Wendt, and her sister-in-law, Marie Wendt.

Survivors include her step-children, David and wife Carolyn Bishop of Clive, Iowa; Ann and husband John Rhode of Berkeley, California; and Rocheen and husband Tony Andrews of Murrieta, California; her brother, at 103 years of age, Ervin Wendt of San Diego, California; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; many Bishop family members, many Wendt family members, and many Tessman family members.

According to her wishes, Gen’s body was bequeathed to the University Of Kansas Medical Center. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be conducted by Pastor Steve Daiker at 11:00 A.M. at Ross Calvary United Methodist Church in Ross, Iowa. As an expression of sympathy, memorials may be directed to the Ross Calvary United Methodist Church at 5995 Main Street, Audubon, Iowa 50025 or to Encompass Health Hospice at 14833 West 95th Street, Lenexa, Kansas 66215.