Mildred Iva Crockford, 98, Sturgis, died Saturday, February 19, 2011, at the Sturgis Regional Senior Care.

Visitation will be noon until 9:00 p.m. on Monday February 28, 2011, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Rev. Jil Jennewein officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date at the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

A memorial has been established to the Faith School Fund.

Mildred was born May 14, 1912, on the family ranch east of Tilford, SD, to William G. and Bertha B. (Clark) Hanks. She moved to Sturgis in 1919 with her family where she attended grade and high school. Following graduation, she attended Spearfish Normal and taught at rural schools until she went to work as a dental assistant for Dr. Riedesel.

On May 21, 1936, she married Arthur W. Crockford at Rapid City, SD. The couple lived in the Vale Community and Mildred returned to teaching. She taught at the Wetz, Highland, Cottonwood, and the Bench schools for several years. After moving to Sturgis in 1962, she worked at the Red Owl store and the Meade County Assessors office. She retired from the Bear Butte Valley Bank.

Mildred was active in volunteer work for the Meade County Senior Citizens in Sturgis and Faith. She was a member of AARP. Mildred enjoyed sewing and needlework.

Survivors include her son, James (Karen) Crockford, Faith; grandson, Lyle; granddaughters, Terry and DeeAnn; 6 great-grandchildren; several nieces, including Gerrie Olson, Sturgis; and several nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three grandchildren, two sisters, three brothers, and her daughter-in-law.