Conrad W. Bicknese, of Redfield, SD, went to be with Jesus, his Savior, on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at home surrounded with his loving family, at 93 years old.  His funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at the Frankfort United Methodist Church.  Reverend Marty Toepke-Floyd will officiate.  Burial, with military honors, will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Frankfort, SD.



Visitation will be Friday, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield.  Family will be present during this time to accept condolences.  A prayer service, with Masonic Rites, will begin at 7:00 p.m.  Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.  (www.thelen-hykefuneralhome.com)



Conrad W. Bicknese was born in Frankfort, SD on July 12, 1924, the tenth child of Fred and Emma (Conrad) Bicknese.  He grew up in the Frankfort area and graduated from Frankfort Public High School in 1942.  He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August of 1942 and was honorably discharged in January of 1946.  He attended Northern State Teacher's College, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education.  In 1960, he graduated from NSTC with a Master Degree in Elementary and Secondary School Administration.  Conrad began his public school teaching career at Lily, SD in 1950 and ended his public school teaching at Toronto, SD in 1955.  He continued working in education for the Bureau of Indian Affairs from August of 1955 until March of 1981.



Conrad married Donna Lou Nicholas in 1950 at the Aberdeen First United Methodist Church.  They had four children:  Danny in 1951; David in 1954; Carol in 1957 and Colleen in 1964.  He retired in 1981 and moved to a river home three miles south of Frankfort.  In 1997, flood waters forced them to relocate to Redfield.



Conrad was a member of the Redfield Masonic Lodge #34 for nearly 30 years and a member of the American Legion for over 50 years.  He enjoyed playing cards, pitching horseshoes, playing golf, river boating, reading and talking politics.



Conrad is survived by his two sons:  Danny G. (Karlan) Bicknese of Frankfort and David C. (Judy) Bicknese of Riverdale, ND; and his two daughters:  Carol L. Bicknese of Redfield and Colleen M. (Allen Jr.) McKiver of Groton, SD. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.



He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, on February 19, 2017; five brothers and five sisters.








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