RAPID CITY - Mary Lou Lowry (Bishop) was born June 10, 1930 the oldest daughter of Lewis Calhoun and Marie Stoltenberg Bishop of Norfolk, NE. While surrounded by her family, Mary Lou passed away peacefully on May 21, 2018 in Rapid City.

Mary Lou attended Rapid City High School and graduated with the class of 1948. She loved being part of the surviving committee who met annually for lunch to reminisce and remember their classmates.

Mary Lou married her husband Edward "Ed" Lowry Jr. They were married 53 years prior to his passing. They raised 4 children Ann, Jamie, Edward III and Heath and one of her grandchildren, Michael Hannah. From 1949 to 1964 Ed and Mary Lou moved to Beverly Hills, CA where she managed the Burton Way Hotel which was owned by Ed's parents.

While operating the hotel she was able to meet numerous distinguished and famous people. One of her fondest memories was spending about 10 minutes sitting with Eleanor Roosevelt and having a very personal and private conversation.

From 1964 to 1969 Mary Lou assumed ownership and operated Bishop's Grocery on 8th Street, long before it was ever called "Mount Rushmore Road" in Rapid City. During her adult life she also worked at the original Gas Light Restaurant in Rockerville. Prior to her retirement she worked for 16 years at the Kmart in Rapid City in a variety of departments.

After retirement Mary Lou spent hundreds of hours, over 10+ years, volunteering at the Journey Museum. She loved and was eager to share the history of Rapid City and the Black Hills with anybody that would listen. Many students, scholars and reporters would speak to her in an effort to complete research about the area and she would never disappoint. Her stories would make you laugh and sometimes cry but always left others in awe of her knowledge of the area.

When not volunteering as the years passed, Mary Lou loved to take care of children. She was a baby sitter in her home for many families and children that she held close to her heart.

Mary Lou was a self-described, "imperfect woman" but was always a great mother, sister, friend and confidant. As the years passed she was able to spend time with her dear friend Tom Carver of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Prior to her passing she spoke of the friendship and love they shared. Tom was able to help Mary Lou near the end with the acceptance of death and found peace in his words and friendship.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Edward Lowry Jr, her son Edward Lowry III, her sister Nancy Miller.   She is survived by her brother Lewis Bishop Jr (Marilyn), her daughters Ann Hanel (Robert), Jamie Lowry (Pat Havener), Heath Lowry (Laurie) along with 12 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.

A celebration of Mary Lou's life will be held at 12:00 PM on her birthday, June 10, 2018 at the Journey Museum in Rapid City. The family will then have a gathering to be held at 3:00 pm at Sheridan Lake with Mary Lou, along with her late husband and her son.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the Humane Society of the Black Hills, the Journey Museum or the BLENDABLE Foundation PO Box 4044, Custer, SD 57730.