Bishnu Devi Pradhan
December 5, 1939 - September 27, 2022

Our beloved Bishnu passed peacefully from this world on Tuesday morning, September 27, 2022, surrounded by family at her home in Madison, WI. She bravely endured a multi-year and ever evolving Alzheimer's diagnosis along with the loving support of her husband, children, sisters, a large extended family across several continents, as well as many friends and caregivers.

Bishnu was born in Bandipur Bazaar, Nepal, to Ratna Man and Sil Kumari Shrestha. She was very close to her mother. It is from her that Bishnu drew her own strength of character. Bishnu was selfless, kind, and with a gentle loving heart. Friends and family alike described Bishnu as both graceful and humble and generous with a laugh that lit up the room.

On February 22, 1960, Bishnu married her childhood sweetheart and the love of her life, Krishna Lall Bhai Pradhan. The family grew as they welcomed two sons and two daughters together.

Bishnu first came to Madison in 1973 and, over the subsequent few years, she and Krishna managed to have all their children join them here. Our family quickly became the heart of an ever-widening circle and growing Nepali community in Madison. Bishnu's vision and heart for her community began with cooking for gatherings and picnics for her husband's students. Her fondness for sharing her love and creativity of cooking and bringing people together inspired the establishment of a food cart on Memorial Library Mall. In March 1986, success and acclaim led to the opening of Himal Chuli Restaurant, the first truly Nepali restaurant in the United States, which remains a cherished cornerstone of the Madison community. For over three decades families from the Nepali community have passed through Himal Chuli on their path to other destinations and other careers. Bishnu's restaurant provided nourishment for the body and has provided a steppingstone for the advancement and aspirations of the lives of many young people from Nepal and the larger Madison community. Her son, Rajan, commented that in the early days, Bishnu would lovingly and without reservation hold the babies of her patrons while their parents ate. Today, those same babies regularly bring their own children to Himal Chuli.

Together, Bishnu and her beloved husband Krishna developed a large circle of friends with diverse backgrounds from all walks of life. They and their four children were blessed to endearingly call many they met Uncle, Auntie, Brother, and Sister.

Bishnu was preceded in death by her brother and sisters Madhav, Ganga, and Begam. Bishnu leaves behind her beloved husband Krishna Lall Bhai Pradhan, sister Jamuna and her husband Stephen, her children Rajan and his partner, Katrina, Rajeeb and his wife Carolyn, Jalashree and her husband Matthew, Anjuli and her husband André, her grandchildren Ashish, Akash, Anand, Skyler, Mallika, Anamaya, and Bailey, and great-granddaughter Clairyce. She is also survived by her siblings and spouses of her natal extended family Neelam and Shree Ram, Deepak and Archana, Sarayu and Suresh, Kiran and Rita, Arun and Paru, Yogesh and Vinu, and their families. She also leaves behind her niece Pragati and spouse Tanka and son Om.

Bishnu's legacy lives on and is forever in our hearts. A community ritual and celebration of her life will be held in Madison, WI, in late September 2023, updates to follow. The family plans on creating tribute spaces in nature in Madison, WI and overseas in her honor and loving memory.

Informed Choice Funeral
& Cremation Alternatives
3325 E. Washington Ave. Madison
(608) 249-6758
Please share your memories at www.informedchoicefunerals.com

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