Connor Neal Bickford

Connor Neal Bickford passed away on the early morning of Wednesday, November 20th, 2024.

Connor was born in Topeka, Kansas to his parents, Deb (Rueschhoff) and Darwin Bickford, on February 27th, 1998. From the start, he became the light of his parents’ and siblings’ lives. Growing up in Olathe with his older brother Jerad Bickford and older sister Lauren (Bickford) Fuentes, Connor, the baby of the family, was a constant source of sunshine, transforming ordinary moments into unforgettable performances. Throughout his life, Connor touched everyone around him with his infectious goofball energy and joy.

One of the many lives he touched was that of his wife and high school sweetheart, Grace Marie (Horvat) Bickford. Though they first met in high school, it wasn’t until their senior year that their friendship deepened. As their friendship evolved into a relationship, those memorable final moments of high school became the couple’s first milestones together. From high school, to college, to the challenges of a global pandemic and a cross-country relationship, their love spanned nearly 10 years, the last two as newlyweds, marrying on November 12th, 2022, in Kansas City.

In 2021, Grace “surprised” Connor with the greatest gift of his life, their precious Goldendoodle, Dottie. The bond between Connor and Dottie was extraordinary—one that transcended words. Though Grace and Dottie have lost their beloved companion at the heart of their family, Connor and Dottie’s bond will live on in every walk, pup-cup, snuggle, and game of fetch, forever in their hearts.

Connor had many passions. From Spider-Man, longboarding, and soccer in his youth to videography and RFC in high school, his interests grew and evolved. In college, he developed a love for science, YouTube chefs, and of course, beer. As an adult, his hobbies expanded to cooking, Mario Kart, tiny cars, commercial driving with his brothers at the City of Olathe, cold plunging, and so many more.

Connor’s most fervent passion was his Native heritage. He was honored to be named a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in the summer of 2017. Given the name Baswewe, meaning "echo maker"—symbolized by the crane, at peace in delivering a message—Connor embodied these qualities with grace and strength.

Connor’s heart was a rare and precious gift in this world, one that will continue to inspire and uplift his friends and family forever. Every day, he brought joy through his humor and perfect, goofball smile. Even in fleeting moments, Connor touched lives and made the world a better place. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Connor is preceded in death by his brother Jerad Lee Bickford, grandfather Clifford Bickford, and grandparents Day and Phyllis Rueschhoff. He is also preceded in death by marriage by grandfather-in-law Joseph ‘Joko’ Horvat and grandparents-in-law MaryLee ‘Grammie’ and Lloyd Dale ‘PawPaw’ Kientzy.

Connor is survived by his loving family, including his wife Grace (Horvat) Bickford, mother Deb (Rueschhoff) Bickford, father Darwin Bickford, sister Lauren (Bickford) Fuentes, and many siblings-in-law, aunts and uncles, cousins, and countless friends.

We are celebrating Connor’s life with a rosary and visitation followed by a funeral mass on November 27, 2024, at 10:00 am at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 16000 W 143rd St, Olathe, KS 66062. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, 13901 Block Bob Road, Olathe, KS, where Connor will be laid to rest with his brother.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to:

The Baswewe - Connor Neal Bickford Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of the Penwell-Gabel

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