Bernard L. Bickett was born April 12, 1935 in rural Beresford, SD to parents John and Elvira (Olson) Bickett. He died February 16, 2007 at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 71 years. Bernard attended school in Beresford. He served in the United States Army from 1955 until 1958. After his honorable discharge from the Army he married Phyllis Brown and moved to Joplin, MO where he worked in a foundry. Bernard retired in 1986 and moved back to Beresford. He married Gwen Rasmussen in 1987 and has resided in Beresford until the present time. Bernard was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Beresford and was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. Bernard loved farming and often mentioned how he liked the smell of freshly turned soil as he was plowing a field. He was preceded in death by his parents, son John Thomas, and 2 brothers, Milford and Raymond. Bernard is survived by his wife Gwen Bickett, Beresford, SD; daughter Michelle Price, Beresford; daughter-in-law Anne Bickett, Broken Arrow, OK; 5 sons: Tim (Annie) Bickett, Joplin, MO, Chris (Crystal) Bickett, Webb City, MO, Doug (Tina) Bickett, Joplin, MO, Terry Bickett, Joplin, MO and B.J Bickett, Beresford, SD; 13 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild; 5 sisters: Marie (Robert) Gorman, Independence, MO, Adeline McIlvenna, Sioux Falls, SD, Irene (Jim) Latendresse, Camden, TN, Bernice Jorgensen, Lennox, SD, and Lillian Biehl, Plymouth, MN; 3 brothers: Jerry (Cindy) Bickett, Lebanon, OR, John Bickett, Beresford, SD and Bob Bickett, Centerville, SD; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 2PM, Tuesday, February 20 at St. Teresa Catholic Church, Beresford. Visitation with family present will be Monday from 6PM to 8PM with a wake service at 7PM at St. Teresa Catholic Church.