Mary Priest
March 05, 2012
Mary Priest, 58, passed away Monday, March 5, 2012, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston.
Mary was born March 21, 1953, in Maquoketa, Iowa, the eighth of nine children, to Curtis and Alma Bickford. She and her husband Duane owned and operated Spring-Green Lawn Care. Mary had previously been a preschool teacher. She loved her Basset Hound, Willow, watching soap operas, boating, shopping, going to lunch, mother-daughter time, and going places with her grandsons.
Mary is survived by her husband of 30 years, Duane; daughters, Sarah (Neil) Willoughby and Amanda (fiancé, Daniel Wiltse) Priest; grandsons, Levi and Trevor; siblings, Evelyn (Don) Current, Ron (Darlene) Bickford, Jake (Judy) Bickford, Dean Bickford, Patty (Randy) Busch, Joyce (Don) White and Brad (Diane) Bickford; sisters-in-law, Jean Bickford and Joanne Priest; mother-in-law, Charlotte Priest; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Rick Bickford; father-in-law, Dan Priest; and brother-in-law, Larry Priest.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 9, 2012, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Diane Seeberger Hanchar Paxinos
03/16/2012
I was very sad to hear about Mary Carol. I will always remember those days playing dolls etc. at the house on 5th Street and at the 4th Ward Park with Joyce and Mary. Many happy years of playing together.
Joan Rutenbeck Etringer
03/13/2012
To the family,
I am sorry for your loss of your wife, mother, and sister. Mary and I were friends in high school in Maquoketa, and she was always a fun loving, and kind person. God Bless. Joan
Doris Graue Milner "Agency Montgomery City,Mo
03/13/2012
so sorry about the loss of your wife, I thought her was
a wonderful person. Am retiring from real estate in
June this year, getting older. good luck on the nursery
business. Saw notice in newspaper and wanted to relay
my sympathy to you and the family. Doris Graue
Mark & Pam Richardson
03/10/2012
Sarah, Neil & family,
We send you all our sympathy at the loss of your mom. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mark & Pam Richardson, Chariton
Allen & Marjorie Weeda
03/09/2012
We knew Dan and Charolet well and now more of the family has passed on.
I, Allen spent a lot of time with Dan when we were young.
Death always is so sad even though we know it will come to us all.
Thinking of you today and it was not possible for us to come.
Jackie Whitehorn
03/08/2012
Duane, Aunt Charlotte and Family,
I'm so very sorry to hear about Mary. She was a wonderful, loving, warm person. I always enjoyed seeing her and talking to her. We had so much in common with the field of education. I was so happy for you Duane when I met her at your wedding I knew you had a terrific wife. The minute you met Mary her loving warm character shown through and you had to go talk to her and spend time with a person so wonderful. I've been praying and I will continue to pray for you all. I wish I could be there in person to hug you all.
With much love and continued prayers,
Love Always,
Jackie
Paul & Norma Vlieger
03/08/2012
We are thinking of you at this difficult time. Mary was a wonderful lady and we will all miss her. Her spirit and determination to live was a courageous example.
Love and Care,
Paul & Norma Vlieger
Mike and Jeanette Branam
03/08/2012
Duane, Sarah, Amanda and Charlotte, we send our condolences. We are so glad to have known Mary over so many years. She will be missed. With our sympathy, Mike and Jeanette.
Cathie Golding
03/07/2012
Duane, daughters and loved ones.
So very sorry to hear about Mary's passing. Mary was such a nice person and will be missed very much by those she loved. She fought a very tough battle.
May your memories give you peace and comfort at this difficult time.
My thoughts are with you.
Love
Cathie
Julie (Priest) and Rick Simpson
03/07/2012
Duane and family,
We just wanted to express our sympathy for your loss. I'm not able to take off time from work to be at the memorial service, but our thoughts will be with you.
Ruth Cutright
03/07/2012
Our deepest sympathy to Duane, Sarah, Neil, and Family, and Amanda and Daniel and family on the loss of your dear wife and mother. Mary was a super person. I know she really enjoyed all of the little preschoolers, and friends. She always had smile on her face. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time. Remember all of the good memories you had together. Sincerely, Ruth Cutright and Family
Bev and Bob Engel
03/07/2012
We want to ekpress our sympathy to Duane,Sarah and family, Amanda,and her fiance. Our sympathy also goes out to the whole Bickford family. Since we are in Florida we will not be able to be there in person to help confort you. My sister Becky and family also wishes to send her sympthy to all of you, Love from all of us.
Lois Bartlett
03/07/2012
Duane and Family:
You have been in our thoughts often these last weeks and we're sorry for your loss now. Losing a loved one is never easy, as we know having gone through that recently, but memories are ours to keep and they do help when days get long and lonely. May they be a confort to all of you now and in the days ahead. Sincere care and sympathy, Lois Bartlett and family