Funeral services for John Bickford, age 90, of Albert Lea, will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. The

Rev. Curtis Zieske will officiate. Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation is one hour prior to the services at the chapel. To sign the guest book, goto www.bayviewfuneral.com

John died Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005, at Reedsburg, Wis., after a long illness.

John Bickford was born May 27, 1914, in Albert Lea, the youngest child of Minnie and Ernest D. Bickford.

He was united in marriage to Rebecca Christiansen on Sept. 6, 1952, in Sioux Falls, S.D.

She preceded him in death in 1989.

John was a lifelong resident of Freeborn County and lived almost his entire life as the third generation on the family farm in Manchester Township.

In addition to farming, he worked at the Albert Lea Foundry in his early years,

and from 1955 to 1970 at Weyerhauser Company.

John enjoyed gardening, reading, and traveling.

Survivors include his daughter, Carol and her husband Gary Denman of Reedsburg, Wis.; granddaughter, Holly and her husband Dan Schara of North Freedom, Wis.; grandson, Gregory Denman of Reedsburg, Wis.; step daughter, Doris Sotelo of St. Paul; and numerous nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Charles, Bruce and Merton; and sisters: Orphia Jones and Nina Morreim.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Heart Association would be appreciated.