Duane "Bish" Bischoff

Duane “Bish” Edward Bischoff, 71, Moorhead, MN, passed away on December 18, 2024 at home surrounded by family and under the care of hospice.

Bish was born on November 27, 1953 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota to Donald Bischoff and Loretta Taylor. He grew up on the iron range in northern Minnesota and graduated from Greenway Highschool. After graduation, Bish attended Bemidji Vocational School, earning a degree in Construction and Carpentry. He was self-employed general contractor and master carpenter for most of his life. He built and remodeled many beautiful homes all over the state of Minnesota, including several all by himself. He knew every little trick of trade to be able to work alone. He handed much of that knowledge down to us; we learned a lot from Bish. He helped all of us with our own construction projects- and there were several.

While growing up on the iron range, Bish was avid hunter, fisherman and trapper. He was a man of few words but mastered everything he did. He was known as the modern-day mountain man. He participated in many rendezvous and primitive camping events. He made his primitive outfits from the animals he trapped, tanning the hides and sewing the outfits together by hand. He made his own knives, bows, and arrows- you name it he made it. He was quite the marksman with his black powder rifles, as well as any type of gun. He was a dead shot.

Bish was united in marriage to Rosa Meyers, and together they formed a beautiful family. Bish and Rosa owned Rosas Family Restaurant in Marble, Minnesota. They ran the restaurant for many years, later retiring to Moorhead, Minnesota in 2014. Shortly after moving to Moorhead, Bish found his passion for wood carving. He joined In The Chips Carving Club in Moorhead and never looked back. He ate, slept, and drank wood carving, working on projects up until his death. He liked going to the carving club where he learned a lot and made some great friendships. He loved carving caricatures and became a very talented artist in his own right. His artwork will leave a lasting impression on the rest of the world to enjoy many years beyond his time on earth.

Bish loved hanging out with family; he was a big part of us and will truly be missed. We had many Sunday dinners together where he would always show us his latest project. We would visit and watch his favorite show Yellowstone together, and he actually got to see the final episode. Wednesday lunches at Beer and Fish Co. with family and friends became one of his favorite family traditions. He adored his dog Bella, who I’m sure is laying at his feet while he’s sitting in his favorite chair in heaven.

Bish is survived by his wife Rosa Bischoff, of Moorhead; his son Dwight Griffith, of Oklahoma City, OK; granddaughter Jocelyn Griffith, of Oklahoma City, OK; brother Ronald (Denise) Bischoff, of Rapid City, SD; sister Christina; nephews Ross Bischoff, of Rapid City, SD, Chad (Whitney) Bischoff, of Rapid City, SD, and Sam Hendricks, of Wawina, MN; stepchildren John (Lisa) Meyers, of Swan Lake, MN, Melisa (Josh) Garzoli, of Petaluma, CA, Bertram (Lisa) Meyers, of Fargo, and Klaus (Nicole) Meyers, of Fargo, as well as many extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Donald Bischoff, of Marble, MN; his mother Loretta Taylor, of Grand Rapids, MN; his sister Barb Hendricks, of Wawina, MN; his brothers Stanley Bischoff, of Columbus, OH, and Lance Taylor, of Minneapolis, MN; and his nephew David Hendricks, of Buck Lake, MN.

Bish’s family would like to thank the hospice workers and caregivers who provided comfort and care to Bish in his final days. A special thank you to Sebastian Ramos and Lisa Meyers for helping Bish out in his time of need.