Violet May Bishop

Violet May Bishop, 93, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, passed away quietly on Sunday, August 9, 2015, in her home. A long-time resident of Amarillo, Texas, she moved to Idaho in 2007. Born May 4, 1922, in Hartsburg, Mo., to Otto Fritz and Hulda Marie Hilgedick, she was the fourth of six children. She graduated from Jefferson City High School in 1940. She married her high school sweetheart, Edgar E. Wyrick, Jr. in 1941. During the war years, she worked as a model and later with Douglas Aircraft. After Ed's return from military service, the couple settled in the St. Louis area where they began their family. Moving to Amarillo in 1957, she was active with First Christian Church, PTA, Welcome Wagon, Meals on Wheels, Catholic Family Services, Lighthouse for the Blind, Americans with Disabilities, and other civic groups. Violet was the owner of Vi's Pretty Petals, a popular floral shop, and later was a district manager for Jafra Cosmetics. Violet was once named Volunteer of the Year by the city of Amarillo. In 1976, Violet married J. D. Bishop who brought her much joy and companionship. During their years together, Vi and J.D. took joy in raising funds for motorized wheelchairs and volunteering for multiple causes, including their church. No matter where she hung her hat, her home was always a safe and welcoming place for family and friends alike. Violet enjoyed the music that was provided by her talented family and friends, loved board games and playing cards with her friends in Texas and in Idaho. She was an artist and enjoyed traveling to wherever the road might lead. Left to cherish her memory are brother, Don Hilgedick of Fayette, Mo.; son, Boyce, and wife Kathy Wyrick of Lubbock, Texas; daughter, Inez Wyrick, and husband Donovan Stokes of Winchester, Va.; daughter, Pamela, and husband Harold Nordby of Coeur d'Alene; and daughter, Karla, and husband Tony Nardi of Hot Springs, Ark.; 10 grandchildren and their spouses: Todd and Sarah Wyrick, Jeff and Erin Wyrick, Matt and Debra Smith, Kelley and Gary Lewis, Roger Wyly, Carrie and Eric Nakamoto, Krister Nordby, Maria and Tim Arthur, Giovanna and Jeffrey Splawn, and Angela and Zach Nix.; 13 great-grandchildren: Jordan, Dylan, Ryan, Parker, Adam, Peyton, Ellison, Grady, Tycho, Niko, Ila, Violet, and Oliver; several nieces, nephews and their families, as well as many friends are also left to remember Violet. She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Ed Wyrick and J.D. Bishop; brothers, Virgil and Wayne; and sisters, Mildred and Helen. There will be a celebration of Violet's life on Saturday, September 26, 2015, at 11 a.m., held at Peace United Church of Christ in Hartsburg, Mo. All are welcome to attend. Violet and the family extend their appreciation to the staff at Northstar Retirement Center for the love and care given to Mrs. Bishop. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Fresh Start at 1524 E. Sherman Avenue, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814, Fresh Start Hospice or charity.