Mary A. Bickford, age 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 27, 2016, at Koda Living Community in Owatonna, Minnesota. Mary was born on August 28, 1921, in Mankato, Minnesota, daughter of James Joseph and Mary (Harris) Albert. She lived in Madison and Brookings, South Dakota, and attended Brookings High School where she played string bass and was captain of the rifle team. Mary earned a BS in Home Economics Education in 1943 from South Dakota State College, and graduate credits from SDSC, the University of Minnesota and Mankato State College. She taught in Britton, South Dakota, before moving to Owatonna in 1945. She married David M. Bickford of Owatonna on April 6, 1953 and remained married until he died 51 years later. Mary was a well-loved teacher in Owatonna for over 30 years. She taught adult education for the school district and home economics in Owatonna High School. After retiring from full-time teaching, she was a substitute teacher for the junior and senior public high schools and taught office practice at Marian/St. Mary's school. For 17 years, she was office manager for Hargrove Appraisal and the Bleckre Company. Mary was a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron; the county, state and national Home Economics Associations; the Cosmopolitan Literary Society; the Steele County Historical Society; the Owatonna Art Society; Senior Place; Vesterheim Museum of Decorah, Iowa; Minowa Rugcrafters Guild; and the Associated Church. Mary's hobbies included rug hooking and other needlework, sewing, geneology and reading. She exhibited her rugs at the Owatonna Art Center and won numerous ribbons at the Steele County Fair. She was creative, generous, respected and trustworthy and had many friends. Mary is survived by her children John Albert Bickford (Anita Bickford) of Tucson, AZ, Barbara Barb Bickford of Madison, WI, and Glen Bickford (Erika Roland) of Bloomington, MN; eight grandchildren, Micah Bickford (Tracy), Naomi Abdou (Ashraf), Caleb Bickford (Shayna Parkinson), Isaac Bickford (Kirstie), Rose Gear, Aralee Derflinger, Rachel Wilka (Brian) and Andrew Bickford; five great-grandchildren, Matthew, Peter, Kinzi, Olive, and Alora; step sister-in-law, Camilla Billings; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents and stepfather, Roger BIllings; brother, John Smokes Albert; stepbrother, Roger Budd Billings, and grandson, Matthew Gear. Visitation will be at Associated Church in Owatonna on Thursday, December 1, 2016 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM and on Friday from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 2, 2016 at 2:00 PM at The Associated Church with The Reverend Coqui Conkey officiating. Interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna. Memorials may be sent to the Associated Church of Owatonna, South Dakota State University, Vesterheim Museum, the Heart Association or the donor's choice. Visitation: 12/01/2016 16:00 12/01/2016 18:00 Service: Owatonna and one hour prior to the service on Friday. 12/02/2016 14:00